Guyana Chronicle E-paper 2-1-2020

SATURDAY 1st February, 2020

' No.105897

'Lands for sugar workers'

SEE PAGE 03

...President promises to allocate state lands to former sugar workersÂ

...to set up State Land Resettlement Commission to coordinate programme

President David reacts to the huge crowd at the APNU+AFC West Demerara rally on Friday evening (Delano Williams photo)

Guyana to close embassy in China -deliberations ongoing about whether to bring home scholarship students ‌entry may be denied to persons coming from China

GRA to digitise taxpayers' records soon

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- more online tax services to be rolled out

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 1, 2020

Guyana to close embassy in China -deliberations ongoing about whether to bring scholarship students home

By Navendra Seoraj THE Coronavirus has been declared a global emergency by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and in ensuring that Guyana remains safe from the disease, the Guyana Government has taken a step to close its Embassy in Beijing.

This was confirmed by Minister of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings during an interview with the News Room, on Friday. “Right now we are trying to close the embassy, so we would have no work there… we are not issuing visas,” said Dr. Cummings.

According to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more se-

vere diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). The coronavirus outbreak originated in Wuhan, China.

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, coughs, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

In recognising the severity of the disease, which, according to the BBC, has already killed about 170 people in China, Guyana has taken steps to strengthen its port health authority and is even working with officials to examine the possibility of bringing home Guyanese students who are in China.

“We have two Chinese there (Wuhan) and of course efforts are being made to bring them home but they have to work with the Chinese advisory because if they (the Chinese) say the students have to be contained right there, then they have to comply,” said Minister Cummings.

She further explained that, for the students to travel from Wuhan they would have to go to different stations and at each station, they would have to be quarantined for 14 days.

And, those are strict orders, so the students would have to cooperate. The minister gave the assurance that the ministry is constantly checking on the safety of the students. She said: “They are safe and we are hoping they remain safe by taking preventative measures and even being contained until it is safe to travel.”

The Ministry of the Presidency’s Department of Public Service is expected to meet with the parents of those students. An official of the Chinese Embassy confirmed that there are about 10 Guyanese students in China and the embassy is working to ensure that those students remain safe. Guyana Chronicle had reported that the local authorities here continue to be on guard against the Coronavirus and is even well-equipped to deal with the virus if it reaches here.

“We are prepared and

equipped with what is needed to handle a situation, should one arise,” said Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, during a joint press briefing between the Ministry of Public Health and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), last Tuesday.

According to Minister Lawrence, government’s first approach to keeping the virus at bay, is to ensure that they “test, isolate and Minister of Foreign Affairs, treat” any person, Dr. Karen Cummings who enters Guyana and has a high index of suspicion. While every port firmed that it has an adequate is being monitored, the minister supply of medication to treat the said emphasis is being placed on respiratory and other symptoms the Cheddi Jagan International of the disease. The ministry is Airport and the Eugene F. Cor- expected to make a presentation to Minister of Finance, Winston reia Airport.

“We have not moved to the Jordan, who was made aware of second phase to check whether the situation, when the minister we do have cases…but what and her team briefed Cabinet on we are looking at is what it will Tuesday.

The team of medical protake to expand services outside of Georgetown, especially if we fessionals provided an insight to have an overflow… we know the rise of the Novel CoronaviGPHC has a high occupancy rus and advised Cabinet that the rate, so we need another facil- Caribbean and Guyana were at ity to house persons,” said the a relatively low risk, but that it minister, noting that the ministry was important to be prepared for is examining other available any eventualities.

Cabinet was told that the facilities and looking at what GPHC and the Diamond Diagneeds to be purchased. nostic Centre were identified as the two medical facilities where ADEQUATE any arriving passenger suspectMEDICATION So far, the ministry has con- ed of having the Novel Corona-

virus will be quarantined. Both facilities were being prepared and retrofitted accordingly.

The team briefed Cabinet that Port Health Authorities had begun screening Chinese nationals arriving at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) from Suriname and Asia. According to a press statement, President David Granger thanked the team for the briefing and the work that they and other agencies were doing to ensure that Guyana is prepared to handle an occurrence. President Granger said Guyana’s preparedness to deal with transnational diseases is at an optimum.

Resident PAHO/WHO Representative, Dr. William Adu Krow, during the press conference, said Guyana, although not having to deal with some of the prevalent outbreaks in recent times, was experienced and prepared to deal with any disease. “As of now though, we are very, very, very low in terms of getting a condition like that… but we are prepared,” said Dr. Adu-Krow.

In emphasising his confidence in Guyana, he said: We went through Chikungunya, Ebola and so on, so I think we have gained enough experience, even though we did not have the cases, we have enough experience to deal with it…PAHO/WHO is also prepared to stand by the ministry to support in the event of the virus reaching Guyana.”

The WHO said there had been 98 cases in 18 countries outside of the country, but no deaths.

Reg. 5 NDCs complete all subvention-funded projects THE ten Neighborhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) in Region 5 (Mahaica-Berbice) have successfully completed developmental works facilitated by their 2019 Government subventions.

According to Deputy Regional Executive Officer Sherwyn Wellington, the NDCs in the Region have completed 100% of their 2019 programs for utilisation of subventions.

Wellington said that all ten NDCs had received and used the tranches of their subventions.

Their projects were typical of the role of the NDC. The Blairmont/Gelderland NDC used their subvention to construct a reinforced concrete structure in Ithaca, upgrade the Primary school street at Blairmont # 2 settlement and construction of Totaram Street in Shieldstown.

The Rosignol Zee Lust NDC used its funds to construct a fence around the

Rosignol Market; purchase crusher run loam and sand for road work and to spread road building materials at Edderton village aka # 4village.

The Woodlands Bel Air NDC and the Tempie Seafield NDC both used their subventions to construct new offices for staff and councilors, while the Union Naarstigheid used theirs to extend their office.

The Woodlands Farm NDC used its funding to construct three streets, these being one at Church Street, Mahaicony; another at Belmont, and yet another at Highdam.

The Hamlet Chance NDC used its funds to construct a street between James Avenue and Halley’s Drive, and to construct a canal dam at Perth.

Bath Woodley Park used their allocation for the construction of greenheart revetment for a bridge; purchase of crusher run tar and stone for road maintenance and repairs; and the purchase of

High-Density Polyethylene pipes (HDPE) to improve residential drainage.

Profitt Rising Sun purchased crusher run tar and stone for road works, and for the fencing of the office compound.

The Mahaicony Abary NDC used its subvention to purchase crusher run tar and stone for road works, and the construction of earthen dams within its villages and purchase and installation of HDPE pipes for improving drainage.

However, the performance records of the NDCs, in terms of their planned collection targets and actual showed that many were unable to fully carry out their self-funded capital projects, due to poor revenue collection, hence the critical role of the government subvention in 2019.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 1, 2020

Lands for sugar workers

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… President promises to allocate state lands to former sugar workers … to set up State Land Resettlement Commission to coordinate programme

By Svetlana Marshall A STATE Land Resettlement Commission will be established, should the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition be re-elected to office, to address the needs of former sugar workers, who were displaced as a result of government’s decision to “right size” the sugar industry in its quest to make it viable.

This commitment was made by President David Granger – the APNU+AFC Presidential Candidate – as he addressed a multitude of supporters at the Leonora Athletics Stadium during the coalition’s elections rally at Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) on Friday.

“We are going to set up a State Land Resettlement Commission so that sugar workers would be able to go onto those lands and those who want to farm, will be

able to farm, and those who want housing, will get land for housing. This is what a caring government does,” he told the thousands of supporters gathered in the stadium.

In 2017, the APNU+AFC Administration took a decision to consolidate cultivation at the Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt Estates. In an attempt to reduce losses and increase profitability within sugar industry, the government, in 2018, amalgamated [merge] the Wales Estate with the Uitvlugt Estate and reassign its cane to the Uitvlugt Factory. The estates at Albion and Rose Hall were also amalgamated.

Under the new construct, there are three estates and factories, Blairmont on the West Bank Berbice, Albion-Rose Hall in East Berbice and the Uitvlugt-Wales estate in West Demerara. By virtue of the amalgamation, the Enmore Factory on the East Coast Demerara (ECD) was also closed.

NO EASY DECISION The decision to amalgamate the estates, the President said, was not an easy one.

“I am telling you, we had to make a hard decision but we thought hard and long and we said we must protect and preserve the sugar industry,” he said.

In justifying the government’s decision, President Granger explained that the cost of production had superseded the profit garnered, as such, the sugar industry was on the decline. It was a tough decision, he iterated, but necessary to increase the profitability of the industry.

“Sugar cannot be sold on the world market at the cost that it was being produced at Wales, but we did not throw Wales under the bus, we amalgamated Wales and Uitvlugt and many of the people from Wales have gotten jobs from Uitvlugt,” President Granger explained.

The establishment of the State Land Resettlement Commission, he said, will

provide another avenue for income generation for those affected. “We are going to establish a State Land Resettlement Commission so that people who have been put out of work because they had been in the sugar plantations will be given access to land so that they can start all over again,” he further assured.

In 2019, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) sold some 92,246 tonnes of sugar on the local, regional and international markets.

GuySuCo said despite a number of challenges, the three operational estates, at Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt, produced a total of 90,246 tonnes of sugar in 2019.

According to GuySuCo, 46,651 tonnes were produced at Albion Estate, 23,325 tonnes at Blairmont Estate and 20,270 tonnes at the Uitvlugt Estate.

JOB LOST UNDER PPP Under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), more than 5,000 sugar work-

President David Granger greets supporters at the Leonora Athletics Stadium during the coalition’s elections rally at Region Three on Friday

ers attached to GuySuCo lost their jobs between 1992 and 2015, President Granger reported.

EDUCATION Turning his attention to the Education Sector, in ad-

promises made by the President to the people of Guyana on Friday.

“We will abolish squatting settlements; we will put our workers onto the lands and we will put our children into schools. We care for

President David Granger addresses the gathering at the Leonora Athletics Stadium (Delano Williams photos)

dition to the construction of schools and dormitories, 40 buses, 20,000 bicycles and a dozen boats were given to communities under the Five Bs initiative to ensure that children attend school.

As the country embarks on a Decade of Development – 2020-2029, he said his government will provide a special Public Education Assistant Scheme Grant to families, whose children are in school. “That is where the oil money is going to go,” he told the supporters to loud cheers.

The establishment of A State Land Resettlement Commission and the provision of a special Public Education Assistant Scheme Grant were among three

workers, we care for children and we care for families. APNU+AFC is a caring Government,” he told his supporters.

Anticipating a landslide victory when Guyanese go to the polls on Monday, March 2, 2020, President Granger said the PPP/C has been losing support since 1997, and the situation further deteriorated under Bharrat Jagdeo.

“Since Jagdeo took over the PPP, all of the scores are falling in Region Two, in Region Three, in Region Five and Region Six – that is what the Mathematics tell you.” He urged the region to throw their support, overwhelming, behind the APNU+AFC coalition.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, February 1, 2020

Senate blocks witnesses in Trump impeachment trial US President Donald Trump

The U.S. Senate on Friday voted against calling witnesses and collecting new

evidence in President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, clearing the way for Trump’s almost certain acquittal next week.

By a vote of 51-49, the Republican-controlled Senate stopped Democrats’ drive to hear testimony from witnesses like former national security adviser John Bolton, who is thought to have firsthand knowledge of Trump’s efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate a political rival, former Vice President Joe

Biden.

Those actions prompted the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives to formally charge Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress in December.

That made Trump only the third president in U.S. history to be impeached. He denies wrongdoing and has accused Democrats of an “attempted coup.”

The Senate approved a timeline for the rest of the

UK leaves the European Union The UK has officially left the European Union after 47 years of membership - and

more than three years after it voted to do so in a referendum.

The historic moment, which happened at 23:00 GMT, was marked by both celebrations and anti-Brexit protests.

Candlelit vigils were held in Scotland, which voted to stay in the EU, while Brexiteers partied in London’s Parliament Square.

Boris Johnson has vowed to bring the country together and “take us forward”.

In a message released on social media an hour before the UK’s departure, the prime minister said: “For many people this is an astonishing moment of hope, a moment they thought would never come.

trial on a party-line vote.

Closing arguments beginning at 11 a.m. EST (1600 GMT) on Monday will give the four Democratic senators who are running to be their party’s presidential nominee time to get to Iowa for that night’s first nominating contest.

The Senate will then hold a final vote on the impeachment charges at 4 p.m. EST (2100 GMT) on Wednesday.

The Senate is almost certain to acquit Trump of the charges, as a two-thirds Sen-

ate majority is required to remove Trump and none of the chamber’s 53 Republicans have indicated they will vote to convict.

Trump is seeking re-election in a Nov. 3 vote. Biden is a leading contender for the Democratic nomination to face him.

In Friday’s vote on witnesses, only two Republicans, Mitt Romney and Susan Collins, broke with their party and voted with Democrats.

“America will remember

this day, unfortunately, where the Senate did not live up to its responsibilities, where the Senate turned away from truth and went along with a sham trial,” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said the trial should end as soon as possible. “The cake is baked and we just need to move as soon as we can to get it behind us,” he told reporters.

(Reuters)

“And there are many of course who feel a sense of anxiety and loss.

“And then of course there is a third group - perhaps the biggest - who had started to worry that the whole political wrangle would never come to an end.

“I understand all those feelings and our job as the government - my job - is to bring this country together now and take us forward.”

He said that “for all its strengths and for all its admirable qualities, the EU has evolved over 50 years in a direction that no longer suits this country”.

“The most important thing to say tonight is that this is not

an end but a beginning,” he said, and “a moment of real national renewal and change”.

Brexit parties were held in pubs and social clubs across the UK as the country counted down to its official departure.

Hundreds gathered in Parliament Square to celebrate Brexit, singing patriotic songs and cheering speeches from leading Brexiteers, including Nigel Farage.

The Brexit Party leader said: “Let us celebrate tonight as we have never done before.

“This is the greatest moment in the modern history of our great nation.”

Pro-EU demonstrators earlier staged a march in Whitehall to bid a “fond farewell” to the union - and anti-Brexit rallies and candlelit vigils were held in Scotland.

(BBC)

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 01, 2020 - 09:30hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, February 1, 2020

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TT’s Duke: Put coronavirus patients on Nelson Island PUBLIC Services Association (PSA) head Watson Duke has called on Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh on Friday to develop quarantine structures on Nelson Island to deal with the coronavirus.

Duke argued: “In the 18th century (sic) British people had a high sense of containing diseases. It had immigrants coming back to our country. They came with smallpox and measles, they held them on Nelson Island. They were treated and only then they were brought across.

“Why don’t the Minister of Health think about fixing Nelson Island so that anyone who contract the virus here can go to Nelson Island?”

On Thursday, the World Health Organisation declared the virus an international emergency. TT imposed a

TT PSA head, Watson Duke

two-week travel restriction on people coming from China.

Speaking to workers from the Airports Authority, Immigration and Custom Excise and Civil Aviation Authority at Piarco, Duke said although it is a harsh suggestion, it is something the Government

should consider.

“There is no cure for the coronavirus,” he said. “Once you have it, you have to keep it. It is said to create a vaccine it would take years to create one.

“This is not a normal virus. With HIV there is almost a cure for it. Cancer, people can feel proud because it is handled well.

“But this coronavirus there is no cure. Therefore it is nothing to play with.”

Duke told the workers once someone is coming into the country, they should be quarantined inside the country but should be taken to Nelson Island immediately.

He said China built a hospital in six days to quarantine affected people.

“In France they quarantine people who come from China for 14 days. Australia has an island called Christ-

mas Island, which was used as a detention centreup to 2018. They are now moving people who have interacted with people from China or may have travelled to China to the island.

“Yesterday it was 17 countries. The latest information is now 18 countries affected with the virus. Yesterday there were 6,000 cases.

It is now more than 7,000 cases. Three-quarters of those cases are in China. In Hong Kong they are not taking no chances,” Duke said.

He told the workers not to underestimate the situation.

He also called on the m to stop working if they were not given the relevant equipment.

“Do not use normal dust masks, because the virus can live outside the body for five days. Have you all been given the N95 face mask, proper gloves or Lysol spray? The

normal dust masks look good, but cannot handle vigorous activities. You can play mas with the normal dust mask, you can play the fool with that. But do not work or try to fight the virus with that.

“For example, let’s look at condoms. There are different types, and based on the type you use it can protect you. If you want to protect yourself, don’t look for something nice, but something that can handle vigorous activities.”

Duke said the N95 respirator is specially made to keep various types of virus from entering a person’s system.

He told the workers the only protection they have is zero tolerance.

“The Health Minister is fooling you and he is being careless. He could not care less about your health. What

we suggest is hard, but this is the only way we could take – zero tolerance.

“You all are at the heart of it. This virus is going to come to TT and they are going to keep it hush-hush because doctors have an oath, they cannot create panic. If there is no mask, no training, no Lysol, you should not be working. “Let Young and Deyalsingh come up here and distribute all the safety gear,” Duke said.

Duke said he had tried several times to contact Minister of National Security Stuart Young and Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh but had been unsuccessful. (Trinidad and Tobago Newsday)

Nicaragua: Six indigenous people reportedly killed in attack tle farming and to destroy our forests,” he added.

Environmental group the Rio Foundation called the attack a “massacre”.

Tensions have been rising in recent years between Nicaragua’s indigenous communities and newcomers who move to the region in search of fertile land, timber and gold. There have been reports of armed

The attack on the Mayagna group took place deep in jungle in Nicaragua (BBC photo)

Armed men have attacked an indigenous community in Nicaragua, killing at least six people and kidnapping another 10, rights groups say.

Police confirmed two deaths and said they were investigating. The reason for the difference in the toll is unclear.

The attack on the Mayagna group took place in a protected nature reserve in the north of the country.

The Bosawás Biosphere Reserve has been the focus of land disputes between

indigenous groups and new settlers.

A Mayagna leader last year accused the government of doing nothing while his community was gradually “exterminated”.

The men reportedly attacked the Mayagna commune deep inside the Bosawás Biosphere Reserve, the second-largest rainforest in the Americas after the Amazon.

Mayagna lawyer Larry Salomon told the Reuters news agency that the raiders were part of a group of

non-indigenous “settlers” in the area.

“This is a land conflict.

They want our lands for cat-

groups seizing indigenous land.

Gustavo Lino, the highest-ranking Mayagna leader, said last year: “They’re exterminating us little by little and the state is doing nothing.”

The 30,000-strong Mayagna make up around 0.5% of Nicaragua’s population. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, February 1, 2020

Why voting is important AS we count down to March2, 2020, several differences exist between the younger and older generations in respect to voting attitudes. The older generations are perhaps better versed in the importance that society bestows upon the right to vote. The younger generations have arguably struggled with grasping the same understanding, or perhaps resting the same level of importance upon the subject.

Nonetheless, the right to vote is considered one of the most important and fundamental constitutional rights.

Subject to certain exceptions, most individuals are entitled to exercise their right to vote and participate in the democratic process. If we consider Guyana’s historical context, then

the right to vote was earned through blood, sweat and tears.

The young nation’s colonial history and subsequent fight for self-determination makes the right to participate in the democratic process all the more poignant.

For those who do not wish to exercise their right to vote or participate in the democratic process, many would argue that they consequently lose the right to be able to legitimately question the actions of those elected to office. Voter abstention is also a serious form of protest, and is one that is exercised by some citizens across the world.

There are several types of abstainers, the most common two being those who intentionally withhold their vote, perhaps as a form of protest, and those

who are careless or negligent in exercising their rights.

We will focus on the careless and negligent, as it might be akin to pouring water on a duck’s back to discuss intentional voter abstention. There is quite a big difference between those who are informed and choose not to vote, and those who are uninformed or undereducated on the matter.

A large percentage of those who fall into the latter category simply do not care to exercise their right to vote. So we have the uninformed and undereducated abstainers to deal with.

In order to reach this category of people, the burden of educating the electors rests on the shoulders of those who wish to take office: The candidates and parties. It is their duty to ensure

that electors are aware of the issues and the solutions which their parties wish to bring to the table.

Electors should be able to legitimately question and interrogate the manifestos, plans and policies of those wishing to take office. Voting is a participatory process; one which should begin at the start of campaign rallies and continue throughout the tenure of whichever administration takes office. One’s vote should not end on Election Day; that vote of confidence should continue to be scrutinised far beyond Election Day. This participatory approach might reach the uninformed and undereducated, as many often lament that parties pander to the public during elections season, only to collect their vote and then

disappear afterwards.

Admittedly, many citizens are sometimes frustrated by the culture of politics in Guyana.

They have become desensitised and are disenfranchised by a long history of political ineptitude. However, times must change, and it cannot be denied any longer that Guyana is on the up and up. During the course of the present administration’s tenure in office, Guyana has made strong and steady strides to combat many of the historic social ills that have hindered the proper development of the Guyanese society. The success of this administration cannot be taken for granted.

A society’s values are borne out of shared ethics, morals and principles which transcend generations, reli-

gion, ethnicity and other definitive characteristics. These ethics, morals and principles are often reflected in the laws of the land to further enforce the nature of that society’s values and therefore culture.

The democratic process facilitates the exercise of the right to choose parties and candidates who reflect those closely held morals and principles. The consequent right to vote is then an expression of one’s right to participate in the democratic process.

Guyanese are encouraged to express and enjoy their rights at this pivotal point in our nation’s history.

The so called oil experts and the history of TT’s petroleum industry Dear Editor,

Guyanese are being inundated with Pedantic Pronouncements by certain People, who claim knowledge about the Oil and Gas Industry.

These have come from near and far. We have the petroleum academics – experts from University of Uitvlugt to Ulverston, from Babu Jaan to Britannia, all ignoring the complexities of the petroleum world. Over the past twenty-four hours, as a continuum of these persistent pontifications, Jagdeo now poses the question as headlined “Are Exxon’s costs bloated, Jagdeo says billion-dollar cost reduction in Liza 1 alone worrying.”

Another sensational headline –“Guyana stands to lose US$55B in bad oil deal” – and so the crusade continues. It is an old technique to pose such questions only designed to create confusion and doubts among the populace. None of us believe that these oil giants are angels, but while we can forgive market vendors and others from expressing views and be part of the round of rumours, senior political personalities have a duty to be responsible in order to cause neither confusion nor discontent.

In an earlier contribution, I noted that over time, that petroleum has been the source of Confusion, Coups and Corruption. Only sincere committed

leadership can avoid the above three pitfalls. Petroleum is new to Guyana and I believe those who are really interested in the well-being of our Cooperative Republic should work together so that this and succeeding generations can share the bounty that beacons.

We have just found oil and some people believe that this administration will just wave a magic wand and create ideal conditions over-night; conditions that has taken others years to achieve, while dealing with the vagaries of a tricky international environment.

Dear Editor, I ask that you share this information extracted from the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries, Trinidad & Tobago, so that we can all appreciate the dynamics of change in the petroleum industry and pointing to the reality that ideal conditions are not achieved overnight. Following, are the historical facts of the Petroleum Industry of Trinidad & Tobago: 1857: First well drilled for oil in Trinidad – 61 metres deep in the vicinity of the Pitch Lake by the Merrimac Company.

1865: Walter Darwent founded the Paria Oil Co. to drill for oil in south Trinidad.

1866: First successful oil well drilled by Walter Darwent at Aripero.

1901: Randolph Rust and Mr. Lee Lum drilled and tested a well which produced 455

liters of oil in two hours.

1903: Guyaguayare No. Three…first well to be drilled with rotary equipment.

1904: A Mines Department instituted as a branch of the Public Works with the production of manjak.

1908: Commercial oil production begins in Trinidad near the Pitch Lake, La Brea.

1910: First export cargo of crude oil was shipped by tanker at Brighton, La Brea.

1911: Discovery of Tabaquite field most northerly oilfield found on land, to date.

1912: Small refinery built at Point Fortin.

1914: Production reached 1 MMB/year and the oil industry employed 1,200.

1919: Refinery capacity increased to 9,000 barrels of oil per day. Sixty-six percent of crude oil produced was refined locally.

1921: Production began from Trinidad Leaseholds Ltd.’s Cat Cracker Unit at Pointe-a-Pierre.

1930: Crude oil production increased to 10 million barrels per year.

1930: First importation of oil from Venezuela for refining locally.

1930: First geophysical surveys made in the Brighton area.

1932: Electrical well logging introduced in Trinidad.

1933: Trinidad Oilfields Ltd. introduces gas injection in the Forest Reserve Upper

Cruse sand.

1937: Widespread labour unrest in the oilfield area.

1940: Refining capacity increased to approximately 285,000 bbl/day.

1954: Marine drilling for oil began in the Soldado Field

by Trinidad Northern Areas Limited (TRINMAR).

1954: Deepest well drilled on land Apex, Fyzabad Well No. 560 drilled to 16,155 feet.

1955: Discovery of the northern-most gas field in Trinidad at Mahaica, by Dominion Oil Limited.

1955: Production from Soldado oilfield at Trinmar initiated.

1958: First well started on platform 1.2 miles offshore from Brighton. The platform was designed to accommodate 36 wells, which was a world record for this type of platform.

1959: Federation Chemicals Ltd. pioneered the use of natural gas in Trinidad and Tobago as a chemical feedstock in the manufacture of ammonia.

1961: Galeota No. 1 first exploratory well drilled offshore the East Coast of Trinidad. Well produced oil but considered uneconomic.

1962: Formation of the Ministry of Petroleum and Mines.

1963: Appointment of Commission of Enquiry into the Oil Industry.

1967: A new production high of 65 million barrels per

year was achieved.

1968: First commercial oil discovery off the East Coast of Trinidad (off Pt. Radix) well OPR-2.

1968: Government of Trinidad and Tobago and the United Nations carried out a seismic survey off Trinidad’s North Coast.

1969: New Petroleum Legislation enacted Act No. 46 of 1969.

1969: On July 1, Government in a joint venture with Tesoro Corporation, acquired the local assets of British Petroleum; GOTT’s first venture into national ownership of an oil company.

1969: The National Petroleum Company was established by law.

1970: First Marine concessions under the new petroleum act were given out (North Coast Marine Areas).

1971: Drilling began off the North Coast of Trinidad….. natural gas discovered.

1972: Trinidad and Tobago National Petroleum Marketing Company created.

1972: Commercial production began offshore the East Coast of Trinidad … from AMOCO’s Teak Platform.

1972: Delta Exploration Co., contracted to conduct a seismic survey of 2 million acres of offshore territory in East Coast and Gulf of Paria.

1974: On August 31st, Government acquired the local

operations of Shell Trinidad Limited and formed the Trinidad and Tobago Oil Company Limited (TRINTOC).

1974: Petroleum Taxes Act revised the taxation methods in the petroleum industry and introduced the Refinery Throughput Tax. 1975: Formation of the National Gas Company for the transmission and sales of natural gas.

1977: The Government of Trinidad and Tobago takes its option of an additional 20 per cent participation in South Coast Consortium as a commercial discovery is announced.

1977: Tringen – Commissioning activities were completed and the shipment of ammonia destined for the U.S.A. and Europe began.

1979: FERTRIN – Sod-breaking ceremony January 1979.

1980: Formation of the National Energy Corporation.

1980: Commissioning of the Iron and Steel Company of Trinidad and Tobago (ISCOTT).

1981: TRINTOC granted an Exploration and production (Public Petroleum Rights) Licence over Block 9-North of the NW Peninsula of Trinidad.

1982: TRINTOC enters into a processing agreement with TEXACO Trinidad Inc. for the processing of 1 million TURN TO PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, February 1, 2020

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The so called oil experts and the history of TT’s petroleum...

bbls of crude oil.

1982: Installation work begins on the second cross country pipeline by the National Gas Company.

1983: Cassia Gas Field comes on stream in May 1983 1983: Urea plant at Point Lisas commissioned in December 1983 1983: Decline in world crude oil prices. OPEC marker crude price cut from $34/bbl., which adversely affects the local oil industry.

1983: Supplemental Petroleum Tax for land operations reduced from 35 per cent to 15 per cent.

1983: Offshore section of NOC 760mm (30 inch) pipeline completed and put into service.

1983: Seismic survey using the vibroseis method initiated

by Western Geophysical Co. (of USA).

1984: Crude oil production registers its first increase since 1978, production increased from 155.078 bbl/d to 163,937 bbl/d. This represents an increase in average daily production of six per cent above the 1983 average.

1984: Data from the marine seismic new areas off the North and East Coast of Trinidad and Tobago put on sale.

1984: Joint UNDP/ World Bank Assessment of Trinidad and Tobago undertaken.

1984: Methanol Plant at Point Lisas begins commercial production.

1985: AMOCO produces its 500 millionth barrel of crude oil i.e. 22.6 per cent of total crude production for the country at that date.

1985: Submarine production allowance terminated with effect from 31.12.83.

1985: TEXTRIN is integrated with TRINTOC as some of its assets are acquired by GoTT. 1985: Fire on TRINTOC, Pointe-a-Pierre jetty kills 14 employees.

1985: GoTT acquired Tesoro Corporation’s 49.9 per cent equity in Trinidad-Tesoro Petroleum Company Limited for 3.23 million barrels of residual fuel to be paid over a period of 18 months: May 1986 to November 1987. Name of the Company changed to Trinidad and Tobago Petroleum Company Limited (TRINTOPEC).

1986: OPEC failed to agree on an oil production policy that could have reversed the collapse in world oil prices.

This decline in oil prices had a negative impact on the local oil industry.

1986: Compressed natural gas (as a substitute motor car fuel) pilot project is launched and the first CNG filling station inaugurated.

1988: Trintomar Limited

incorporated to develop and operate acreage held by the SECC. Comprises Trintoc 40 per cent, Trintopc 40 per cent and NGC 20 per cent.

1988: Three offshore blocks: 511, Lower Reverse ‘L”-shaped and “U”-shaped blocks put up for competitive bidding.

1988: GoTT revises Supplemental Petroleum Taxes and announces major tax incentives for workovers and marine heavy oil production.

1989: Bidding invited for four new blocks off the East Coast – Block 89/2, Block 89/3, Block 89/4 and Block 89/5.

1989: Introduction of the lease operatorship and farmout programme.

1989: Exploration and Production Licence signed for Block 5-11 (Trintopec/Mobil).

1989: Signing of the joint venture agreement for the formation of the Phoenix Park Gas Processors Ltd. 1989: Caribbean Ispat commenced operations in May 1989.

1990: Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago sign an oil cooperation agreement.

1991: Blocks 89/2 and 89/3 awarded to BHP (Americas) Inc. and Unocal Corporation respectively.

1991: Norsk Hydro-Agri Trinidad Limited commenced operations in January 1991.

This company operates three ammonia plants in Point Lisas.

1991: Phoenix Park Gas Processors Limited commenced operations.

1992: EOG Resources started operations. EOG is currently contracted to sell gas to NGC and condensate to Petrotrin.

1993: The Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago (Petrotrin) is registered on January 21, 1993, with an authorised share capital of TT$1,500 million. Petrotrin is the single entity formed as a result of the merger of the state-owned oil companies – Trintoc and Trintopec.

1993: British Gas signed a revised production sharing contract with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on September 09, 1993.

1993: Enron and British/ Texaco lease marine fields Keskidee and Dolphin respectively.

1995: LNG Consortium forms Atlantic LNG. 1996: Start of construction of Atlantic LNG facility at Point Fortin.

1996: Government opens third round of competitive bidding for 13 offshore leases for deep-water production sharing contracts between itself and international companies.

1996: Trinidad Exploration and Development Com-

pany Limited (TED) signed an exploration and production licence with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in February 1996.

1996: Broken Hill Proprietary (BHP) signed a production sharing contract and started operations in Trinidad and Tobago in April 1996.

1996: Talisman (Trinidad) Holdings Limited signed a production sharing contract with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in April 1996.

1996: ELF Exploration Trinidad B.V. signed a production sharing contract with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in November 1996.

1997: Repsol Exploration signed a production sharing contract with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in January 1997.

1997: AGIP Trinidad and Tobago Limited signed a production sharing contract with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in March 1997.

1997: Deminex Trinidad Petroleum GmbH signed a production sharing contract with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in March 1997.

1997: Farmland MissChem Limited commenced operations in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

1997: Messer Trinidad and Tobago Limited entered into a joint venture with Neal and Massy and was incorporated in 1997. It operates three industrial gas plants in point Lisas.

1997: PCS Nitrogen Trinidad Limited acquired Arcadian’s operations.

1998: Petrotrin’s Pointea-Pierre Refinery Upgrade , a US$355M project is completed and commissioned.

1998: EXXONMOBIL Exploration & Production Trinidad Limited signed a production sharing contract with the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in February 1998.

1998: Trinidad Shell Exploration and Production B. V. signed a production sharing contract with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in February 1998.

1998: New Horizon commenced operations in September 1998.

1999: Venture Production (Trinidad) Limited entered into a joint venture with Petrotrin on October 1999.

1999: Atlantic LNG starts production with Train I. 2000: Agreement reached for expansion of Atlantic LNG trains two and three.

2001: BHP Billiton announces that wells Canteen One and Kairi One encountered significant oil and gas columns

in previously-untested undiscovered Oligocene sands.

2001: Titan Methanol Company first production was in April 2001.

2001: Caribbean Nitrogen Company commenced operations.

2002: Vermillion entered into a joint venture with Petrotrin in August 2002.

2002: First commercial gas produced from British Gas North Coast Marine acreage.

2002: Trinidad’s ninth ammonia plant comes on stream.

2002: Phoenix Park Gas Processors signs a train two and train three natural gas liquids agreement with Atlantic LNG. 2002: Atlantic LNG train two first commercial shipment in September 2002.

2002: BPTT begins installation of the world’s second largest natural gas processing/ production platform in Kapok Field.

2002: Production of natural gas begins from Hibiscus field on the North Coast.

2002: BHP Billiton declares commerciality of the Greater Angoustra Structure, reserves estimated at 1 billion barrels oil & 1 tcf gas.

2002: BG/Texaco announces Dorado One gas discovery in block 5a.

2002: BPTT announces that Iron Horse 1s1t has found 1tcf natural gas.

2002: TED spuds first exploration well on south-west penninsula lease.

2002: Block U-b awarded to Primera and EOG. 2002: Vintage Petroleum announces gas and condensate discovery at Carapal Ridge On, onshore Trinidad, first since Navette in 1957.

2002: Block 3A awarded to the consortium of BHP Billiton (operator), TFE, BG & Talisman.

2002: Eastern Block awarded to Talisman (joint venture).

2002: EOG announced commercial gas discovery with Parula One in in the SECC block.

2002: EOG awarded Reverse L block.

2002: MOE begins aquisition of Ultra deep water 2D seismic survey.

2002: Venture Petroleum began exploration and development drilling on the Point Ligoure Joint Venture.

2002: Commercial production began from Osprey Field (EOG) 2002: Exxon-Mobil drilled two wells in blocks 25(b) and 26, bptt in Block 27 (deep water).

2002: BPTT announced Red Mango 2st1 as a gas/condensate discovery.

2003: BPTT commissions the world’s largest offshore gas processing facility, Cassia B,

capable of producing 2 billion cubic feet of gas a day.

2003: BPTT installs Bombax, BP’s largest diameter marine pipeline worldwide (48?) and one of the largest in the world.

2003: Cross border talks with Venezuela- signing an MoU and Letter of Intent.

2003: Offshore competitive bid rounds held for nine shallow water shelf and deep water blocks 2003: A Draft of the Quarry Policy Green Paper was prepared.

2004: Six blocks were awarded from the “2003 Competitive Bid Rounds”: 1(a), 1(b), 3(b), 4(a), 5(c) and 22.

2004: Stimulation of production of onshore acreages via 1. PETROTRIN surrendering individual “Deeds of Surrender” and being re-awarded “Core Areas” licences incorporating new terms and conditions. 2. Establishing a consortium of companies for the Southern Basin onshore exploration project.

2004: Two new petrochemicals plant established: Atlas Methanol and the N2000.

2004: Formulation and implementation of a “Local content policy”.2005 ALNG Train four was completed ahead of schedule in December 2005.

2005: Start of construction of the 56” Cross Island Pipeline (largest in the Western Hemisphere) from Beachfield to Pt. Fortin. 2005: Construction of four offshore platforms at LABIDCO: Oilbird, Cannonball, Cashima and Mango.

2005: The “2005/6 Competitive Bid Round” began which offered eight onshore and eight deep-water blocks.

2006: The Petroleum Fiscal Review was implemented

which made amendments to major pieces of legislation including supplemental petroleum Tax. A new model PSC emerged from this review.

2007: The “Unitisation Framework Treaty” for the cross border gas between Venezuela and TT was signed.

2007: Nine blocks were awarded in the “2005/6 Competitive Bid Round”.

2009: BPTT Savonette platform installed and 1st gas produced.

2010: BPTT Serrette platform installed.

I have faith in the leadership of the Government of Guyana. The government is certainly not perfect, but clearly by far the best given the circumstances of Guyana today. A Guyana with a young population eager and sometimes impatient to benefit from our natural resources. We live in a world, where the human species from as far back as we know has been characterised by change. Change itself designates a conspicuous and rather pervasive feature of both our introspective and sensory experiences.

The pretenders of wisdom and knowledge of oil and gas must know and understand the inevitability of change. In our circumstances, what is vital is to have in charge of the Ship of State, a person whose integrity cannot be questioned and whose relationships are underlined with a level of civility and compromise. These qualities will allow our leadership to dispel doubts and to utilise our God-given resources for the benefit of all of the people.

Regards, Hamilton Green

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 1, 2020

GRA to digitise taxpayers’ records soon

- more online tax services to be rolled out THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) will soon move to a paperless system where documents will be scanned instead of photocopied, according to GRA Deputy Commissioner General, Hema Khan.

Khan was, at the time, speaking at a GRA Press Conference hosted

by Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia, at the tax agency’s Camp Street Headquarters on Friday.

“We will just collect them, scan them and give them back to you, so we will be doing the change with the configuration in the system,” Khan said.

She noted that the scanning will be done by GRA with the utilisation of documentation programmes which will facilitate storage and retrieval of digitised information with the touch of a button.

Additionally, the Deputy Commissioner General said as of December 31, 2019 GRA through the ASYCUDA project processed 55, 985 declarations.

“It is significant to note because those declarations would normally come into us and we would have had to key that in manually, as well as all

the paperwork associated with that, so that has been eliminated. So now we can concentrate on more meaningful activities rather than just data entry,” Khan said.

Further, she said the average clearance time is now three days, with a minimum clearing time of up to one day.

“We had started the year (2019) with about an average of six days clearance time and as of December last we had gone down to three days. We are continuously trying to improve on that and we are using rather than a 100 per cent examination and a 100 per cent valuation checks, we are now using a risk profiling mechanism to collect declarations for processing,” the Deputy Commissioner General said.

She said items will be labeled with red, green and yellow and this will determine how long items take to process.

Ms. Khan said that in 2020, a valuation module will be added to the system along with more efficient systems for clearance of barrels at wharves.

Further, she said advance systems will result in GRA stopping its use if

the Total Revenue Integrated Processing System (TRIPS) in Georgetown, but it will still be used in Mabaruma and Lethem where there is a connectivity issue.

She said many more advanced modules will be added to the system to ensure GRA performs more efficiently.

Meanwhile, Head of Information Technology (IT) at GRA, Sese Jones, said the IT department will be exploring ways in which to provide the tax-paying public with up-to-date services and remove barriers to compliance to the tax rules.

“One of the things we heard from the public and saw for ourselves is the driver’s licence. We noticed that the original document had some problems with regards to durability and security.

Since then, we embarked on a project with a number of international agencies to get the equipment in the country to have stronger security and more durable driver’s licence,” he explained.

He said this was launched at the end of 2019 which resulted in the extra $5000 fee, catering for the longer life cycle. Instead of three years, it is now five years until expiration.

He said that the department has

GRA Deputy Commissioner General, Hema Khan

Head of IT at GRA, Sese Jones

also been looking at internal software to improve operational efficiency and a company was engaged to work with the GRA to produce a new tax administration software that will enable better tools to administer taxation in accordance with the local laws of Guyana.

“As of October this year we will begin the actual rollout… right now what we are doing is working through all the rules and ensuring that the product reflects all of our operational procedures and is consistent with the rules and laws of Guyana,” he said.

Adding that the change will have a significant impact, Jones said the GRA is mindful that there could be

delays and the tentative schedule is in August, 2020.

Further, he said that the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) has made significant progress and GRA will build on top of that system and a single window system will also be offered for customs and trade activities via a web portal integrating other agencies.

“That project is kicking off with the IDB and significant internal work has already been done. Provided that they are no further delays, we should be able to start seeing significant progress early next year,” the head of the IT department noted.

Man attempts suicide after stabbing reputed wife

A 22-year-old woman is battling for her life after she was stabbed to the neck on Thursday evening by her reputed husband, who later attempted to commit suicide, after a confrontation in the compound of the Elim Christian Fellowship Church, Timehri Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The couple was identified as Sheria Khalil called “Sherry”, and her reputed husband, Clifton Richmond, 24, called

“Steve”.

Enquiries revealed that the woman, a bank teller, and the man, a minibus conductor, live together at Timehri Public Road, EBD, with the woman’s parents.

On the day of the incident, the two made plans to meet up at the woman’s place of work; however, on his arrival, the woman was not there.

She allegedly returned home and was confronted by her reputed husband and an

argument ensued.

Police said it was alleged that Richmond picked up the woman and ran with her to the nearby church yard.

Family members, upon hearing the woman’s screams, rushed to the location where they found her bleeding with an apparent stab wound to the left side of her neck.

The suspect then allegedly consumed a poisonous substance and jumped into the Demerara River. He was sub-

sequently rescued in an unconscious state.

Both the victim and suspect were escorted to the Diamond Diagnostics Centre where they received medical attention.

The woman was then transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital for surgery.

Their conditions are said to be critical but stable.

A knife and a bottle with suspected poison were retrieved from the crime scene and lodged at the station as investigations continue.

Sheria Khalil and her reputed husband, Clifton Richmond, in happier times

Corentyne farmer shot dead in backlands ‘B’ DIVISION police are investigating the fatal shooting of a 40-year-old farmer of Upper Corentyne on Thursday night.

The man, identified as Parmanand Lakeram called “Bachan” or “Fancy”, a cattle farmer and rice farmer of Lot 53 Section ‘B’ #58 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, was found in sitting position next to his vehicle at around 21:00hrs on Thursday night in the backlands, with approximately seven gunshot wounds about his body.

According to reports, the man had gone to the Number 67 backlands with two of his workers and was in the process of tying two cows, when they noticed a motorcycle approaching. Lakeram allegedly told his workers to hide in the bushes as he went

to investigate who was on the motorcycle.

However, as he approached the motorcycle, the sounds of gunshots filled the air and he darted, shouting to his worker that (name provided) had shot him. He shouted to his workers to run.

As they tried to escape, the shots continued to ring out in the still night air.

After a few moments, the assailant left and Lakeram’s workers went to check on him. They found him sitting motionless against the wheel of his motor bus GGG 9281 with several gunshot wounds about his body, including two in the head.

The men reportedly walked the one mile distance from the public road and notified the brother of Lakeram what had transpired.

The police were notified and they cordoned off the scene. Lakeram’s body was taken to the Skeldon Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police have kept the workers in custody for questioning. They have been swabbed for gunpowder residue.

Relatives of Lakeram said they are unaware he had enemies. He had reportedly gone to check on his pump that was irrigating his rice fields when the incident occurred.

Police sources have confirmed that the suspect in the shooting has turned himself over to police late Friday evening, and the two workers were, up to press time, still in custody assisting with investigations.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 1, 2020

Entry may be denied to persons coming from China …will be subject to rigorous quarantine protocols

GUYANA is considering travel restrictions for persons who are coming from China, where the Coronavirus originated.

According to a press statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, persons in China, who plan to travel to Guyana, are asked to defer those plans until further notice as they are likely to be denied entry. This action comes at a time when the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Chinese authorities have confirmed that a new virus, Novel Coronavirus, similar to the virus that causes the common cold, SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and MERS (Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome), originating in Wuhan, has afflicted a number of persons in China and a number of other countries.

Whilst the death rate associated with the virus is low at around two per cent the infection rate, its spread, has been termed ‘worrying’ by the WHO. WHO’s report as of January 30, 2020 indicated that the number of reported con-

firmed cases of the virus is over 7,000 distributed across the Chinese mainland and territories. Although the infected cases have been confirmed in several other countries including the USA, fatalities have been limited to China.

In that regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that persons in Guyana, who plan to travel to China, should postpone those plans.

“Persons arriving in Guyana from China will be subject to quarantine protocols and may be quarantined in a health facility or at home, depending on the outcome of the risk assessment,” said the ministry.

All recent travellers from China (after Jan 1) already in Guyana are asked to contact their nearest health centre or hospital urgently “and” to remain at home for 14 days after date of arrival. “Should flu like symptoms arise within 14 days after return to Guyana from China or another highly-affected country, persons are asked to call the hotline on 592 227 8683 ext 215,” the ministry advised.

Common symptoms of the virus include fever,

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings

cough, and shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. More severe infections can cause pneumonia, kidney failure and even death.

Those who must travel to and from China are advised to take precautions against contracting the virus by avoiding close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections, crowds and the consumption of uncooked food; universal precautions to take include the frequent washing of

hands, especially after direct contact with ill persons or their environment.

Travellers with symptoms of acute respiratory infection should also practice cough etiquette, that is, maintain distance from others, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissue or clothing, and also frequently washing their hands.

CARIBBEAN NOT TOUCHED Meanwhile, Executive

Director of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), Dr. Joy St. John said: “Presently, there have been no confirmed cases or reports of the 2019-nCoV in the Caribbean Region and based on current information, the immediate health risk from this virus to the general public remains low.

“CARPHA is monitoring developments and working closely with its international health partners to respond to this health threat and provide timely advice and support to the preparedness activities of Caribbean Member States.”

Following this and in light of the recently-confirmed case of the virus in the USA, CARPHA has issued advice to Health Authorities on measures to reduce the risk of importation of the disease to the Caribbean Region, as well as advice to Caribbean travellers in the affected area in China.

“CARPHA is aware that this is an early stage of the outbreak and is awaiting clarity on the characterisation of the behaviour of the virus, including severity of the infection, and the level of transmissibility.”

“Therefore, out of an

Moraikobai ICT Hub upgraded RESIDENTS of the community of Moraikobai, located 90 miles inland of the Mahaicony River, are now benefitting from unlimited Internet access as a result of a recent upgrade of their Information Communications Technology (ICT) hub by the National Data Management Authority (NDMA).

The first ICT Hub at Moraikobai was installed in May last year, but with limited data. A resident explained that with that initial installation, once they had used up the limited data, the system would cut off. The recent upgrade of the ICT Hub two weeks ago provides unlimited Internet access, which is a greatly welcomed development the resident said.

The NDMA said recently that the installation and upgrade of the ICT Hub at Moraikobai is part of its service to provide free Internet service to under-served areas throughout the country. Students and residents being housed at the Moraikobai Student Dormitory and the Indigenous Residence, at Mahaicony, have been benefitting from free Internet access through the eGovernment network.

Hostel caretaker Megan

Adrian said recently that the residents welcomed the free Internet access.

“People will be happy to have access to the internet because they were asking for

it,” Adrian said, adding: “I put the idea to the Toshao, and it came through very quickly. I know the people of Moraikobai are happy.”

9

abundance of caution, CARPHA is recommending that Member States be proactive and vigilant. They must reinforce surveillance measures at points of entry, communication strategies which emphasise good hand hygiene, and measures targeted at reducing the importation of this new virus to our shores,” said Dr. St John.

As with any other novel and imported disease, 2019nCoV is causing heightened concern in the Region.

CARPHA is committed to supporting its Member States in refining existing influenza preparedness plans, refreshing training of healthcare works in universal precautions and the use of necessary personal protective equipment (PPE), and implementing measures to protect the most vulnerable in our populations from developing the disease.

In the event that there is a suspected imported case of 2019-nCoV in the Region, CARPHA has already made arrangements with partner public health agencies for testing within the next three weeks, while we await delivery of necessary supplies.

--for unlimited Internet access

When the current administration took office in 2015, President David Granger pledged to bridge the digital divide in the country through ICT.

The program has been unrolling with great efficiency with ICT Hubs installed in several hinterland communities to date.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 1, 2020

Golden medallion to mark jubilee anniversary celebration

THE Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) in partnership with the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) intends to commemorate Guyana’s 50th Republic Jubilee Celebrations on February 23 by unveiling a golden medallion.

Each medallion is 99.99 per cent pure gold, with a diameter of 30 millimetres and a nominal metal weight of 31.10 grams, equivalent to one troy ounce.

The medallions have been expertly struck by the Royal Canadian Mint and have a

limited mintage of 100 medals worldwide.

The medallions have been crafted to depict the theme “Continuous development – committing to a Green Guyana through sustainable mining”. The artwork portrays the growth of the mining industry through a ‘green’ state. The symbols used are a stock of gold, a batel, a pick-axe, the map of Guyana, leaves and a patch of land.

The pile of gold depicted, represents the large gold and

mineral deposits in Guyana.

The pick-axe and the batel are

The golden medallion that will be unveiled on Republic Day

Natural Resources Minister, Rapheal Trotman, with the medallion that will be unveiled on Republic Day

two very important tools used to conduct mining. The M symbol is an indication of the country’s rich lands. The two

leaves were placed to represent unity and togetherness between the Guyana Gold Board and the Ministry of Natural Resources.

The map represents ‘green’ Guyana while the gold flowing from the batel speaks to the growth of the gold stocks as the years progress.

In 2018, the MNR and the GGB extended an invitation for the creation of the design for the face of the medallion through a competition. Artwork submitted were judged on the clarity of the theme, creativity and originality, quality of composition and design and effect of the project on the first look. The winner emerging from the competition was Dillon Craig, a young and talented 21-year-old artist from Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara. At the time of the competition, Craig was a student at the E.R Burrow School of Arts.

The medallion is set to be presented to President David Granger, prior to its unveiling to the public, in conjunction with the Department of Culture’s Central Mashramani Committee events. A limited number will be made available for sale to members of the public.

Woman accused of murder remanded MAGISTRATE Faith McGusty, on Friday January 31, 2020, remanded a 23-year-old woman to prison on a murder charge.

Shaleza Ellis of Charlotte Street, Georgetown appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court and was not required to plead to the indictable charge.

Particulars of the charge stated that, on January 23, 2020, at Georgetown, she murdered Latoya Haywood called "Toya".

According to information, on the day in question, around 07:30 hours, Haywood was in the company of her cousin and sister-in-law, at a Christmas Eve party in Leopold Street.

Dead: Latoya Haywood

Shaleza Ellis

Haywood approached her child’s father and asked him to purchase a drink for her; the man refused.

Shortly after, Ellis approached Haywood and an argument began between the women during which Ellis stabbed Haywood with a knife, in the region of her heart.

Haywood was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where she was admitted.

Haywood later died at the Hospital.

Ellis was also charged last October for illegal gun and ammunition and possession of narcotics.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, February 1, 2020

11

West Ruimveldt ICT hub positively impacting community youth the ICT Hub within the West Ruimveldt community, and our ministry will be devoted to training every individual on how to use the laptops. Training will be available.”

Abiola Moses, a mother of seven told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that her children are now more involved with Information Technology.

Some of the laptops distributed by the Ministry of Public Telecommunications

CHILDREN and young adults in the West Ruimveldt are taking full advantage of the community’s ICT Hub, which was commissioned, one year ago, by the Ministry of Public Telecommunications.

Housed in the David Rose Centre, the hub is opened daily to assist students since each laptop contains over 100 soft copies of textbooks from the Ministry of Education aimed to assist children with their homework and research. It also provides access to online government services for other members of the community.

At the commissioning of the hub in January last year, Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes,

Overseer, Moressa Andrews

had noted “Every child and adult will be able to access

Miner remanded for attempting to break and enter a post office MAGISTRATE Faith McGusty, on Friday, January 31, 2020, remanded a 52-year-old miner to prison for attempting to commit a felony.

Linden Flavious of Pepper Hill, 111 Miles, Mahdia, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and denied the charge, when it was read to him.

It is alleged that, on January 30, 2020 at 111 Miles, Mahdia, he attempted to commit a felony, that is break and enter and larceny, by attempting to break and enter the Mahdia

Post Office and Living Quarters to steal.

Police Prosecutor Delon Sullivan objected to bail being granted to Flavious citing the prevalence of the offence in society. Sullivan also told the court that police arrived at the scene and apprehended Flavious.

Magistrate McGusty remanded Flavious to prison until February 3, 2020, when he will appear before the Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Man accused of robbery granted bail MAGISTRATE Faith McGusty, on Friday, January 31, 2020, granted $50,000 bail to a 23-year-old man who, allegedly, punched a man several times, before robbing him.

Donnel Todd appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and denied the charge, when it was read to him.

Particulars of the charge stated that, on January 30, 2020 at 111 Miles, Mahdia, he robbed Michael Peters of $5000. Todd told the court that he and Peters were involved in a fight, but he did not take any money from him.

Police Prosecutor Delon Sullivan objected to bail being granted to Todd and told the court that, on the day in question, Todd and Peters had a misunderstanding and Todd dealt Peters several cuffs about his body and took away his money.

The matter was reported and Todd was arrested. A search was conducted and the $5000 was found in his possession.

Magistrate McGusty, after listening to both sides, granted Todd $50,000 bail and adjourned the matter until February 3, 2020.

“My children are more positively engaged since the ICT Hub was commissioned in our community. I save a lot of money by just sending them to the centre to get their homework completed and it has paid off for me tremendously,” Moses said.

Supervisor at the David Rose Centre, Moressa Andrews, related that the ICT hub

had also opened pathways to other developmental courses that were contributing to the development of the young people in West Ruimveldt.

“Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from 4 pm, the Youth Challenge Guyana volunteers hold reading classes for children ages seven to twelve years old. Also, there are robotics classes, every Saturday from

9 am to 11 am,” she mentioned.

According to Andrews the centre will soon be hosting a job training exercise starting on February 2.

Over 170 hubs have been commissioned across the ten administrative regions as the Ministry of Public Telecommunications works to bring more communities online.

(DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 1, 2020

Guyana’s first lift of crude for this month-Dr Bynoe

“I CAN say definitively that Guyana’s first million-barrel entitlement will be shipped in February,” Director of the Department of Energy (DE), Dr. Mark Bynoe announced on Thursday.

As a guest on Hits and Jams 94.1 BOOM FM programme, Hot Seat, the Energy Director said that Guyanese were closer to being able to look at a future, solely within their jurisdiction, as yearly increases in revenue will put the country on better economic footing. Guyana’s crude will be sold – more or less – at a million barrels per lift. By the time the country is producing at a peak of 120 barrels of oil per day, a new lift would be anticipated every 8 to 10 days.

Guyana’s crude will also be sold under a Free On Board (FOB) contractual agreement which will see the crude being sold to the buyer at the exit point of the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, with the buyer taking responsibility for aspects such as insurance and shipping.

Meanwhile, Guyana’s share of exported crude will be sold on a Fee-Per-Barrel basis while the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) is providing expertise for oversight with regards to measurement, calibration and testing functions. Back in July 2019, Dr. Bynoe had stated that the department was aware of the risk associated with not getting this right. In all its efforts, the department had stated that industry-standard documents, based on the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators Crude Lifting Agreement (CLA), was being applied.

The CLA is a document, used throughout the industry worldwide, to set up mechanisms for allocating the schedule of crude cargo liftings, based upon volume entitlements which consider the cost recovery rules of the Petroleum Agreement.

THE BIGGER PICTURE The Director stated that the Energy Department was well aware of the contention of many Guyanese

with the last contract signed with ExxonMobil but he explained that there’s more to understand from what Guyana stands to benefit than by simply looking at one aspect.

“We are very conscious of the fact that there are areas within the existing contract from which Government, for the people of Guyana, can be able to extract greater value and that’s been one of our primary foci,” Dr. Bynoe said.

However, to be able to do that, he stated that the DE will require qualified experts and increased capacity which was why it had begun to recruit experts so that their expertise could be transferred to Guyanese over time. The DE head stated that while his position was not to defend contracts signed by the government, those critical of the current contracts must understand that prior to the deals the confidence in Guyana’s basin was not where it stands today.

“It was expected that one of the things you have to do was to incentivize the system to encourage

Brazilian man remanded for murder of Kuru Kuru miner

MAGISTRATE Faith McGusty, on Friday January 31, 2020, remanded a 23-year-old Brazilian to prison on a murder charge.

Deon Jonas appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court and was not required to plead to the offence.

Particulars of the charge stated that, on October 26, 2019, at the Cuyuni River, he murdered David Atkinson

called “Long Hair”.

Magistrate McGusty remanded Jonas to prison and adjourned the matter until February 13, 2020, when he (Jonas) will appear before the Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

The matter was transferred to the Bartica Magistrates' Court.

According to information, Atkinson, along with

two others, were at a mining camp, when they were attacked by Jonas and another who held them at gunpoint and robbed them of a quantity of raw gold.

A t k in s o n w a s la t er found tied up at the camp with multiple lacerations about his body. Atkinson died while police were transporting him to the Bartica Hospital.

investors. Now that the investors have become successful it seems like we forget from whence we came,” he stated.

Dr. Bynoe explained that Guyana will be receiving at a minimum, 2 per cent royalty on all oil produced in the Block plus 12.5 per cent profit oil. ExxonMobil will also have to pay withholding taxes while Guyana continues to receive foreign direct investments and benefit from joint venture initiatives; employment and jobs for service suppliers.

“Last year November we had over 600 delegates coming to GIPEX. Many of those delegates passed through either the Eugene Correia Airport or the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. The people who transported them were simple taxi drivers; the bag handlers were the people who are there day-today; the places they went to eat had persons who were pretty much lower down – if you want to call it that--- on the socio-economic ladder. So, in large measure those benefits are already trickling down.”

Director of the Department of Energy (DE), Dr. Mark Bynoe

As ExxonMobil liquidates its costs, by 2025 50 per cent of all Guyana’s oil sold will come to Guyana rising up to 52 per cent return on every barrel of oil sold.

Dr. Bynoe urged: “We have to look at the sum-total of the deal and not focus exclusively on one aspect.”

Shuman threatens to sue GECOM over dual citizenship row …refuses to provide proof of citizenship relinquishment to media

Leader of Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), Lennox Shuman

LEADER of Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), Lennox Shuman, is claiming that “political operatives” on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) are working to disqualify him from contesting in the upcoming elections and, should they follow through, he will take the commission to court.

However, while he maintained his defence, the party leader has refused to give proof to the media that he was not a dual citizen while signatory to a Statutory Declaration Form which bars against dual citizenship.

Commissioners, last week, told the media that Shuman, along with People’s Republic Party (PRP) presidential candidate, Dr. Valerie Leung, and leader of the United Republican Party (URP), Dr. Vishnu Bandhu, would be removed from their lists for making false declarations and the police would be written on the matter.

They were cited as in breach of Article 155 of the Constitution and Statutory Declaration Act, Chapter 5:09, making them liable to imprisonment for one year. Shuman told this newspaper, on Thursday evening, that he had contacted the GECOM Chairperson on the said day, and is convinced that the plans to remove him are not in relation to the law, but personal agendas. “There is no issue with GECOM, that is an issue with the commissioners who are misrepresenting GECOM,” Shuman said. “The political operatives on the commission [are the ones] making those state-

ments but there has been no official statement

by GECOM.” Even so, though pressed by the newspaper, Shuman refused to provide proof that he was indeed no longer a dual citizen when he signed the Statutory Declaration Form for submission on January 10, 2020 – Nomination Day. Shuman claims that should he provide this proof to the media, this will be misconstrued.

“The press has not given me the confidence to go to them. Everything that we’ve presented to the press has been twisted or pushed aside,” he stated. Questioned why not consider holding a press conference to prove his right standing, the LJP leader added: “When we hold press conferences one or two people show up…and most of those are the online guys.”

He also stated that there is no legal requirement for him to provide this proof to GECOM or anyone else and reiterated his position that the unfolding is a personal attack against himself and his party. “At the end of the day, the law must prevail and the law says that this is what is required, we have to do it and we cannot only selectively apply non-existent law to a single candidate when you have 660 other candidates who are not going through the same scrutiny,” he argued.

Shuman said that a public announcement on the matter is expected soon from GECOM, and that will determine whether he would take the matter to court. He stated: “The only and sole institution that is granted that authority is the court under Article 163 of the Constitution, so GECOM is operating outside of its jurisdiction in this process. I’m confident that we have a strong position and once again it is not a matter of presenting a document, it is a matter of selective application of an unnecessary scrutiny that is not governed by any law.” In a recent exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Dr. Leung also put forward a similar case that that GECOM erred in its decision to remove her from the PRP List of Candidates and that GECOM does not have the right to remove a candidate from its list as the law empowers only the High Court to so do.

She too plans to take the commission to the court should the removal be made publically official by the commission.

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Former Wales sugar workers invest in agriculture on estate lands

...five rice crops harvested since 2017 ...'mad rush' for lands reported SEVERAL former sugar workers of the Wales Estate who have secured lands at the West Demerara estate have been investing in various forms of agriculture at the location.

According to the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), most of the workers are engaged in cash-crop farming, rice farming and cattle-rearing, among other agricultural activities.

The workers, whose services were terminated when the Wales estate closed in 2017, said that they turned to farming while recognizing that, with sugar no longer profitable, it was time that they got involved in something else. “We are very thankful for the land that was given by the government as while I no longer have employment with Guysuco I can now earn a living form my cash crops,” cash-crop farmer Dhanpaul Samaroo said.

Another farmer, Harry Ketwaroo, who worked at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (Guysuco) for most of his life, said he was excited to have secured land to plant mixed crops which he said were coping well. He said he had no regrets in venturing into this area of agriculture. “When many thought that it was the end for us because we all lost our jobs, I recognized that I can get into mixed crops production and after the lands became available, I took full opportunity of it and today I am doing so well

with my farming and earning enough to take care of myself and family,” he said.

Mohamed Rasheed said that, after the closure of the estate, he already knew that he wanted to rear cattle as this was an ideal way for him to garner an income for himself and family. “I opted to get into cattle rearing, as I found that it is what has the money that I can secure to take care of myself and family. After finding out that the lands were available, I decided to make the best use of it by getting into cattle rearing. I am deeply thankful for the land as it has afforded me an opportunity to continue earning,” he declared.

Site Supervisor of the former Wales Estate, Haribhajan Persaud, said that the estate continues to see a "mad rush" for lands from a number of persons, noting that several former sugar workers and prominent large-scale businessmen, as well as foreign investors, are among those seeking lands.

He said that, unlike several other closed sugar factories, Wales had to take a different approach owing to the fact that it no longer had a factory.

Persaud disclosed that they have been leasing lands for agricultural purposes, stressing that several investors and small farmers have been benefitting.

He said the former sugar workers turn small farmers, have declared that they are pleased and satisfied that they are able to still earn a living through their agricultural in-

vestment. "Several persons are already in their lands and while we have not completed distribution we have already given out as there are far more applications than what is available as there is a mad rush for the lands here," he said.

He disclosed that of the 7943 acres of land that the estate owns, NICIL has set aside 1000 acres for its own cultivation of rice. He disclosed that, originally, they had conceptualized doing seed paddy in an effort to assist the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), as the holding company pursued this venture in collaboration with the estate.

He noted that there were five rice crops since the last half of 2017. Persaud said that they were pleased to see that several former sugar workers were coming up with various business ideas in agriculture, stressing that they were mainly seeking land for cash crops as well as passion fruit, citrus farming and cattle rearing.

“Several of the former sugar workers who have secured lands here are into cash crops where they plant mainly passion fruit and citrus, while some are doing cattle rearing as they seek to continue creating employment for themselves. We are pleased with this as the interest continues to grow and we are seeing more and more former sugar workers, who initially were reluctant to secure lands now coming forward to garner lands for various types of agriculture-related business,”

ECLAC study: New technologies bring Caribbean governments closer to the people THE innovative use of information and communication technology (ICT) tools is facilitating access to central government resources for people living in remote locations across the Caribbean.

Roughly one third of Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and territories can be described as multi-island jurisdictions, most of which encounter challenges which are less severe in single-island Caribbean countries. Their archipelagic nature means that their populations are dispersed over more than one island and that their already small economies are fragmented. In addition, they present various one-island governance structures and institutions, empowered with differing degrees of autonomy in decision-making.

Despite these challenges, ICT can help to support the efficient delivery of public services in multi-island juris-

dictions in the areas of health, education and governance.

This, according to a new study from ECLAC Caribbean entitled, ‘Strengthening ICT and knowledge management capacity in support of the sustainable development of multi-island Caribbean SIDS’.

The study found that the application of ICTs in government for delivering public services, can improve efficiency in the delivery of government services across islands. Moreover, it can minimise the impact of distance between islands, and the constraints of diseconomies of scale. Governments in the Region have already started to embrace e-government and implement regional and national initiatives to improve connectivity and access to technology. However, more than half of households in the Caribbean still lack access to the Internet.

As a result, the effec-

tiveness of efforts to use e-government to reach populations has been mixed and use of these tools inconsistent. The quality of such access is also an issue in the Region, with connection speeds improving but not keeping pace with the rest of the world. Where Internet access exists, use of this technology does not always follow due to lack of affordability, skills or relevant local content. Thus, e-government still presents many untapped opportunities for improving public service delivery and governance outcomes in small or outlying islands of multi-island States. To seize these opportunities, the ECLAC Caribbean’s study highlights that systems and service delivery approaches must be tailored to local needs and to the capacity of existing ICT infrastructure and include adequate training and support.

Several former Wales estate sugar workers who are now farmers at the estate.

the estate Site Supervisor said.

He disclosed that some had already harvested, while others were harvesting again as they continued to maximize the lands that once were used for sugar. He said that the cash crops were being planted on arable lands, which are fertile lands, while those into cattle rearing were doing so on mar-

ginal lands. He said that the marginal lands don’t support agriculture but grow mainly pasture grass.

The farmers who have decided to pursue their own ventures have each worked in excess of fifteen years at the Guyana Sugar Corporation.

Several of the farmers said that they opted to access the lands

as they wanted to continue providing employment for themselves.

They all expressed thanks to the government, stressing that it had certainly enhanced their ability to live comfortably despite no longer being employed in the sugar industry.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, February 1, 2020

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 1, 2020

Eastern Airlines to commence service on JFK-GEO route from March 5

REBRANDED carrier, Eastern Airlines, will commence service between the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and New York’s JFK Airport from March 5, 2020.

The company said in a release that that “we’re starting non-stop flights to underserved markets around the globe.”

Eastern noted that it is “going all out to help its customers meet their travel needs by offering several affordable options to commercial travel between GEOJFK.” It said that venture will open all doors for travel in the Guyana market.

Last year, the authorities noted that Eastern Airlines is mandated to lodge two bonds totalling US$450,000 before it commences operations here in Guyana.

The airline had submitted an application to the Guyana

Civil Aviation Authority (GCCA) to operate scheduled

services between New York, United States of America and

a bond of US$250,000 to the Government of Guyana and a

nese Government had taken a decision earlier this year

Eastern Airlines will utilise a Boeing 767 aircraft to ply the JFK-GEO route

flights between the JFK and the CJIA using its Boeing 767 200/300 series aircraft.

At a press conference at the Ministry of the Presidency last November, Director General, Joseph Harmon, said while Cabinet approved Eastern Airlines’ application to conduct scheduled air

Georgetown, Guyana, the bonds are a prerequisite given the history of the airline here.

“Cabinet approved the application submitted by Eastern Airlines LLC and has agreed that the airline can commence operations on or before December 08, 2019 subject to the posting of

separate bond of US$200,000 to the Guyana Revenue Authority,” the Director-General told reporters.

Eastern Airlines, under its former brand – Dynamic Airways, had filed for bankruptcy in 2018. It was as a result of its financial challenges, that the Guya-

to decline its application to re-enter Guyana’s market.

Approximately six months after rejecting the airline’s application, the government has granted its approval but under strict conditions.

Previously, Eastern Airlines, which was headquartered in Miami, operated a

charter service between Guyana and New York through an arrangement with Travel Span and One Guyana. However, Eastern Airlines folded in 2017 and was bought over

by Swift Air. Following a range of investment maneuverings, a document seen by this newspaper indicated that Dynamic International Airways had applied to the United States Department of Transportation to operate its Boeing 767 aircraft under the Eastern Airlines name.

The document, filed with the U.S. authorities, stated that Kenneth Wolley, a 38 per cent shareholder of Swift Air, became the 100 per cent owner at Dynamic Airways after it declared bankruptcy earlier in 2019. As a result, Dynamic Airways is able to use the ‘Eastern’ brand.

Caribbean law enforcers, legal experts better equipped to fight cybercrime LAW enforcers and legal experts, from across the Caribbean are better equipped to combat cybercrime, after recently completing a Commonwealth-sponsored workshop.

The four-day “Train the Trainers” workshop was held in Barbados, and was aimed at increasing the regional knowledge about cybercrime and electronic evidence.

The session was put together by the Commonwealth and the Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS).

It was funded by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, as part of the implementation of the Caribbean Regional Cyber security/ Crime Action Plan.

Attendees included trainers from three major law schools in the Caribbean, the police, officers of departments of public prosecution, lawyers, officers of the regional security systems, parliamentary counsel, digital forensic examiners and information and communications technology officers.

According to a press statement from Commonwealth, the aim of the workshop was to equip participants from various Commonwealth Caribbean countries, with skills and knowledge of electronic evidence, which is required to fulfill their roles in cybercrime and cyber-enabled cases.

The workshop focused on the handling, presentation and admissibility requirements of electronic evidence. The session also provided trainers with the tools to embed the learning in their respective jurisdictions.

the regional body in effectively using the guide as a toolkit in member countries and delivering digital evi-

Participants and officials share a light moment (Commonwealth photo)

Materials produced by the Commonwealth, including a ‘Good Practice Guide for Digital Evidence: An Introductory Guide for Law Enforcement Officer, Prosecutors, Judges’, were given out as consultants took participants through the training exercise.

Acting Head of the Commonwealth Office of Civil and Criminal Justice Reform (OCCJR), Matthew Moorhead, said the 40-plus participants would now return to law enforcement agencies, courtrooms, and law schools across the Caribbean, ready to train colleagues to combat cybercrime and handle electronic evidence.

He added: “We are proud to be leading this important

programme of work…Cybercrime is an increasing menace in the digital age, causing financial damage running into billions of dollars and having many other serious consequences.”

Michael Jameison, one of the Commonwealth consultants, in delivering the programme outline, said: “the training is a means of building and strengthening capacity, to enable the participants to train their colleagues in their respective countries, thus leaving a lasting legacy and prepare them for the challenges of the 21st Century.”

The Commonwealth’s cyber capability team will continue to work with CARICOM-IMPACS to support

dence training to institutes and agencies.

The UK High Commissioner to Barbados and the

Eastern Caribbean, Janet Douglas, also addressed the participants at the opening of the workshop.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, February 1, 2020

Gov’t commissions two new schools in Reg. 9

MINISTER of Social Cohesion Dr. George Norton and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock on Friday morning commissioned two schools in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo).

Speaking at the commissioning of the Achawib Nursery School, which will cater to 28 first and second year nursery school children, Minister Norton said that the activity was testament to the government’s commitment to ensuring every child in the country has access to education. In addition to the construction of a brand new nursery school, the government also renovated the building that houses the Achawib Primary School, the population of which is 163 pupils.

As Minister Norton explained, the government saw the need to construct a separate building for the nursery school, as the children were previously housed in the same building as the primary school. He said the government wanted to ensure that the children, both primary and nursery, had their own space to learn and grow.

Touching on the other efforts the APNU+AFC government would have made since taking office to ensure that children countrywide were afforded every opportunity to learn, Dr. Norton said, “We tried to help some of them with their transportation, because some children could not go to school because they had no boat to take them. Mr. Granger, your president, promised to give boats, and he has given ten so far, in all the main rivers in this country, be it Aruka, Pomeroon, Essequibo, Demerara, the Corentyne, wherever…

We are giving them boats to go to school; we also gave them buses. We gave ten buses right across the country, and for those who don’t have roads to go on or the boats, we handed out bicycles.” Noting that he still had more business to attend to while in Region Nine on this occasion, Minister Norton said, “Saturday, I am going to go to a village called Shirriri, where I’m going to distribute bicycles to the students there.”

IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION And stressing the importance of education to the development of a nation, Dr. Norton, who besides being a politician, is an Ophthalmologist by profession, said: “We have given, so far, over 1500 bicycles to students so that they can come to school. We’re doing all of this, implementing all of these systems, because we want all of the children in the country to get a good education, because

we believe that education is the key to development.”

Noting that the government, since taking office back in 2015, has been able to reduce the number of primary school dropouts “from “1600 to a mere ‘600”, Minister Norton went on to explain that it was even able to redouble its efforts to sustain the school-feeding programme, which, when it took over had close to 3000 children being fed daily to the nearly 20,000 it

modern washroom facilities as well as running water.

She also lauded the government for what she described as making significant strides towards ensuring that the children of the village have every opportunity to be successful in their educational pursuits.

She explained that in addition to the construction of the new building and renovating the old one, the government also made sure that the roads

The exterior of the newly-constructed Achawib Nursery School

Minister of Social Cohesion Dr. George Norton

One of Bashaizon Primary’s classrooms (Photos courtesy DPI)

Washroom facilities at Bashaizon Primary

now caters to.

VOTE OF THANKS Toshao of Achawib, Vanessa Richards lauded the government’s commitment to their community, saying she is happy to have the government’s support, in not just the form of a building to house the children, but also for providing a facility that is well equipped, and allows the children access to

were done so as to allow for easy access to the schools.

BITTER-SWEET MOMENT District Education Officer (DEO) Johnson Boston, called the commissioning “a bitter-sweet moment” for residents of the community. “For some reason,” he said, “Achawib has in most cases been neglected until recent times. And

The exterior of the newly-constructed Bashaizon Primary School

on behalf of Region One, I want to say a special thank you to the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Nine, and by extension the Government of Guyana for giving Achawib the kind of attention that it deserves.”

Minister Allicock, while addressing the residents of

Bashaizon, said, “We need young people to help us build…

Every single Guyanese will have a chance to help Guyanese be united.”

Adding that students have better opportunities today than ever before, Minister Allicock reminded residents that Guyana needs a range of professional specialists to move Guyana for-

ward, and called for residents to combine their local knowledge of flora and fauna with their formal education to produce even better graduates of the Region.

Both schools are equipped with solar panels that will provide electricity to the school building, running water, and modernized washroom facilities.

‘No more squatting’

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday February 1, 2020

…President to establish National Squatter Resettlement Commission

…blames ex-housing minister, Ali, for poor condition of Plastic City, other unregularised areas

By Svetlana Marshall PLEDGING to eradicate squatting in Guyana, President David Granger said once re-elected, his administration will establish a National Squatter Resettlement Commission to provide adequate land and housing for those currently living in ‘slums’.

“On the 15th March, I will set up a National Squatter Resettlement Commission under the Ministry of Communities. We are going to make squatter settlement history,” the Head of State told thousands of A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) supporters on Friday, during an elections rally at the Leonora Athletics Stadium in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

‘Plastic City’ is among squatting settlements that would be dismantled, but not before adequate systems are put in place to ensure squatters are relocated to residential communities. Located at Vreed-en-Hoop, Seat of Administration of Region Three, ‘Plastic City’ lacks basic amenities such as potable water, electricity and proper sanitary blocks. In fact, makeshift houses there are more often than not surrounded by stagnant water, resulting in insect infestation such as mosquitos. For the President, it is “an abscess; a sore; a sickness” that must be addressed.

“By the time the APNU+AFC Government finishes its next tour of duty, there

will be no ‘Plastic City’ in Region Three,” President Granger said as he pointed to the creation of the National Squatter Resettlement Commission.

He explained that his administration will use funds from the National Treasury to eliminate squatting in the country. “Over the last 23 years, 150 squatting settlements rose like ‘jumbie umbrellas’ all over this country, [but the] APNU+AFC will put an end to it. I will set up a commission on the 15th March to make sure every Guyanese has a roof over his head,” President Granger said, as his supporters, dressed in the colours of the Coalition, waved their flags in affirmation. He assured them all that revenues stemming from the Oil-and-Gas Industry will be used to the benefit of the ordinary man, and to address, among other things, squatting.

The establishment of the National Squatter Settlement Commission was among three promises the President made to the people that night; the others being the establishment of a State Land Resettlement Commission and the provision of a Financial Grant for children currently in school.

EMPHASIS ON HOUSING Since taking office in May 2015, the Granger Administration has placed major emphasis on the housing sector. Just days ago, 20 families received the keys to their new homes at Prospect, on the East Bank of Demerara

(EBD), after squatting on Broad and Lombard Streets in Charlestown for decades.

The houses were built by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and the NGO, Food for the Poor (FFTP) Guyana.

Back in 2017, some $43M was allocated by the CH&PA to have a total of 72 houses erected for the squatters. The 20 houses, valued at $36M, form part of Phase One of a two-phase project.

Since 2015, the CH&PA has initiated a number of settlement regularisation plans for Guyana, in an attempt to address the sore issue of squatting. Last December, it noted that some squatting areas would be regularised and converted into housing schemes, while others such as ‘Plastic City’ would be relocated. Some 173 squatting settlements are being targeted.

Overall in the Housing Sector, the CH&PA said it has recorded a huge increase in the demand for housing solutions, at a time when there are over 25,000 active applications in the system.

A study done by the United Nations (UN) informed Guyana that the demand for housing over the next four to five years would go up to about 4,000 housing solutions a year, inclusive of renovations.

As such, the main focus of the Authority is on creating housing solutions. Their efforts to create those solutions were augmented

The APNU+AFC rally at the Leonora Athletics Stadium on Friday showcased aspects of Guyana’s rich cultural heritage

through support from the (Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) and the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL).

Recently, the CH&PA acquired land from NICIL, and is currently in the process of acquiring land from the GLSC. Lands which were made available through NICIL are in Meten-Meer-Zorg, in West Demerara; Mon Repos, Vigilance and LBI on the East Coast; Experiment, in West Berbice; and Fort Ordinance, in East Berbice. Those lands which are yet to be acquired from the GLSC are in Bartica, Amelia’s Ward, Wisroc and Kwakwani.

During the first half of 2019, the CH&PA distributed a total of 541 house lots in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Three; Four (Demerara-Mahaica; Five (Mahaica-Berbice); and Nine (Upper Takutu- Upper Essequibo), which represented 54.1 per cent of the target for 2019.

According to the Ministry of Finance’s mid-year report for 2019, house lots were distributed in Onderneeming, Recht Door Zee, Zeelugt, Eccles, Providence Gardens, Prospect, Mon Repos, Enmore, Culvert City and Tabatinga.

In the second half of the year, the Authority reportedly distributed a further 459 house lots. Additionally, the Authority will develop and distribute 4,000 new house lots in 12 areas this year.

The electrifying atmosphere at the APNU+AFC rally at the Leonora Athletics Stadium on Friday

President David Granger greeting the crowd at the Leonora Athletics Stadium in Region Three Indian dancers performing at the Leonora Athletics Stadium in Region Three on Friday

A section of the crowd at the Leonora Athletics Stadium in Region Three

President Granger speaking at the rally

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, February 1, 2020

Diplomatic Fair puts spotlight on Guyana’s foreign policy objectives …Min. Cummings says activity helps to foster cultural diplomacy

Members of the Diplomatic Corps and other attendees at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Diplomatic Fair, on Friday (Carl Croker photo)

One of the many cultural presentations at the event

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings

Foreign Secretary, Carl Greenidge makes remarks at the event (Carl Croker photo)

By Lisa Hamilton SCORES of Guyanese youth learnt about the functions and responsibilities of diplomatic missions and organisations in Guyana, on Friday, at the Diplomatic Fair 2020 hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Diplomatic Community.

The event forms part of the 50th Anniversary celebrations of Guyana as a Co-operative Republic and took place at the D’Urban Park. It showcased booths from numerous countries displaying their food, cultural wear, literature, sculptures and more. Meanwhile, the formal aspect of the programme involved speeches from representatives of the ministry and presentations in dance, poetry, instrumental renditions and song.

Addressing the gathering was the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings, who expressed her delight at being a part of the activity which fosters cultural diplomacy. “This Diplomatic Fair serves as a key platform to educate the public about diplomacy and Guyana’s

At one of the many cultural booths at the fair

Sating the curiosity of eager young minds (Photos by Carl Croker)

foreign policy objectives. It brings together Embassies and High Commissions accredited to Guyana, as well as various Guyanese stake-

holders, to showcase and promote cultural diplomacy through creative expressions, TURN TO PAGE

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Diplomatic Fair puts spotlight on Guyana’s foreign policy... such as arts, music and global cuisine,” Minister Cummings said.

Minister Cummings urged participants to travel the world in one day, and enjoy the offerings on display at the Diplomatic Fair. “This is an excellent example of international cooperation thanks to the enthusiastic and generous participation of so many Guyanese-based diplomatic missions. I believe this is a timely activity especially as we are about to observe 50 years as a Republic, and I am most grateful to all the representatives of the Diplomatic Corps for presenting their countries to the Guyanese people in such creative ways, and for joining in this most important social activity today,” Minister Cummings underscored.

For his part, Foreign Secretary, Carl Greenidge, said that as Guyana commemorates its Republic Jubilee with a month of events, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs felt it necessary to inform the public, in a creative way, of the work of diplomatic missions and international organisations in Guyana. He said that the fair, which was largely attended by youths, will serve as an information hub for young people contemplating entering the field. “For most of the public, diplomacy is a vague term and for many,” Greenidge stated. “It is our hope that this event will serve to educate the public on the important role of the diplomatic service and will even give our young people that ability to envisage themselves in a career they might have thought not within their reach.”

He expressed the hope that those attending would visit the various booths and learn about the rich culture of nations around the globe.

In commending the dedicated work of the staff of the Ministry and its organising committee, he also spoke to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which has worked for over 50 years to advance diplomatic relations. The Foreign Secretary said that the ministry continues to stand out as an institution that is racially harmonious, gender sensitive and inclusive in the pursuit of its national mandate, thereby winning the respect of the international community.

Meanwhile, Director of Bilateral Affairs at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Michael Brotherson, said that the ministry chose to organise the event with the aim of demystifying the operations of the diplomatic community.

“For many onlookers, the work of foreign ministries, diplomatic missions and international organisations may often appear a mystery. For many, diplomacy is a perplexing profession and the perceptions of the diplomatic service are not always reflective of what the real situation is, even as diplomats are sometimes misunderstood.

It is with this reality in mind that the ministry chose to organise this event with the hope of helping to demystifying the work of the diplomatic service,” he said.

Following the remarks, the programme featured cultural displays such as a puppet show in collaboration with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and Merundoi; a Tai Chi performance from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China; and a musical rendition from the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

The booths on display came from the High Commission of Canada; High Commission of UK; Embassy of the United States of America;

Embassy of the Argentine Republic; Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela; Embassy of the Republic of Cuba; Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Suriname ; Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes of Malta; Delegation of the European Union; Embassy of the United Mexica States; Embassy of the Republic of Chile; Embassy of the Cooperative Republic of Brazil; Embassy of the Republic of the Russian Federation; Caribbean Community; the Caribbean Secretariat; High commission of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago ; Iwokrama; the Inter-American Development Bank; Inter American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture; the Coorperative Republic of Guyana; United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF); the United Nations (UN) and UNESCO. Visiting some of these booths was U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, who expressed her pleasure with the amount of persons who attended. “It’s been a terrific morning with all the booths and everyone displaying their home countries and their culture and sometimes their food.

It’s wonderful to see all the young people out here,” she said.

Ambassador Lynch said that over at the US Embassy’s booth, persons are learning about what the Embassy is doing in the areas of governance, security and economic development.

Also speaking to the newspaper was Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. K. J. Srinivasa, who commended the initiative as meeting an evident need.

“This is a good exhibition to show how embassies function, how various cultures are intermingling in Guyana and

at the same time what does each High Commissioner of the Embassy represent.

I think this will be a good knowledge form for all the visitors and we would want to encourage, especially the kids, to come in and partake of not only the culture, but the traditions and also the food from various embassies

and enjoy the day,” he said.

Proudly displaying the Chinese culture and answering the questions on those who stopped by was Deputy Chief of Mission of the Chinese Embassy, Chen Xilai, who told this newspaper that the response received shows that many Guyanese are interested.

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“I really pleased to see so much people interested in the Chinese culture, particularly the young students.

They have come to the booths a lot of times asking us a lot of questions. We are very much pleased to answer those questions and it is a very good opportunity for the embassy,” he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday February 1, 2020

Pakistan, England advance to s i m e s 9 1 U-

(ESPNCRICINFO) - In what was built up as a tense clash between two neighbouring countries, Pakistan’s all-round bowling effort, combined with a solid batting performance, led by half-centurion Mohammad Huraira, consigned Afghanistan to a six-wicket defeat in the quarter-final of the U-19 World Cup, in Benoni.

Pakistan’s win sets them up for a mouth-watering semi-final clash against defending champions India, while Afghanistan will take on Australia in the fifth-place playoff.

Although the win was a straightforward one for Pakistan, it featured a moment of quick-thinking from Afghanistan’s left-arm spinner Noor Ahmad, who ran-out opener Huraira for 64 in the 28th over as he walked out of his crease at the non-striker’s end. However, that dismissal did not alter the eventuality of the game.

The unbeaten fourth-wicket stand between Qasim Ahmed (25) and Mohammad Haris (29) took Pakistan to victory in the 42nd over, much to the delight of

the few Pakistan fans who had come to the ground.

“Our batsmen did not take the responsibility today, and that’s where we lost,” Afghanistan captain Farhan Zakhil told ESPNcricinfo after the match.

“We want to congratulate Pakistan on the way they controlled the game. They deserved to win today.”

Afghanistan, opting to bat first, were bowled out for 189. Pakistani right-arm pacer Mohammad Amir Khan led the way, taking 3 for 58.

Afghanistan had begun their innings well, putting on 41 runs for their first wicket in quick time, but Ibrahim Zadran’s dismissal to left-arm quick Tahir Hussain opened the gates for a middle-order collapse.

The score of 41 for 1 soon became 99 for 4 as Pakistan’s bowlers upped the pressure by their tidy bowling in the middle overs.

If it wasn’t for No.9 Abdul Rahman’s 41-ball 30 towards the end, Afghanistan could have been bowled out for much less. Each of Pakistan’s six bowlers picked up at least one wicket, with

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Pakistan Under-19 players celebrate their win against Afghanistan. (Getty Images)

Fahad Munir taking 2 for 29 in his seven overs.

Pakistan’s chase began smoothly, as their openers struck exquisite drives and hearty pulls off the Afghanistan pacers in the first Powerplay.

Haider Ali was the first man dismissed, run- out in the 12th over, but by then they had already put on 61.

Pakistan captain Rohail Nazir then struck 22 in the company of Huraira to take them past 100, and despite Noor’s efforts of taking two wickets plus the run-out of Huraira, they eventually had too few runs to defend.

Huraira was the best batsman on the day. He struck eight fours and a six, peppering most of his boundaries through the covers and even holding his pose for the cameras on a few occasions.

Meanwhile half-centuries from George Hill and Jordan Cox helped England Under-19 to a 75-run victory against Zimbabwe in the ninth-place playoff. England posted 286 for 9, buoyed by an 83-run fourth-wicket stand between Cox and Hill, who made 59 and 90 respectively.

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After Cox’s dismissal, Hill anchored the best part of the innings, peppering six fours and a six in his 119-ball knock. By the time Wesley Madhevere had him caught in the 48th over, England already had 260 on the board.

Hill was ably supported by captain George Balderson, who chipped in with a quick-fire 30-ball 45 not out.

Madhevere shone for Zimbabwe, finishing with 4 for 42.

With the bat, too, Madhevere, stood out, smashing a 45-ball 52 in the opening position. While he kept the scoreboard ticking, the op-

position kept chipping away at Zimbabwe’s top order. By the close of the 14th over, Zimbabwe had lost their top four, Madhevere among the only batsmen to notch a double-digit score.

Emannuel Bawa and Taurayi Tugwete led the repair task thereafter, adding 70 for the fifth wicket, but fell for 31 and 58 within two overs of each other.

With 118 needed off 17 overs, Zimbabwe folded for 211 inside 41 overs.

Balderson took 3 for 29, while Scott Currie and Lewis Goldworthy bagged two wickets each.

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32

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 1, 2020

More super-over heartache for New Zealand

Colin Munro was run-out via a relay throw between Shardul Thakur and Virat Kohli, v India, 4th T20I, Wellington, yesterday.

(REUTERS) - VIRAT Kohli inflicted more Super Over misery on New Zealand as he helped India to a second successive victory in sudden-death to win the fourth Twenty20 international in Wellington yesterday.

New Zealand have lost four limited overs matches in Super Overs in the last six months, including the one-day World Cup final against England last year, and the third Twenty20 match against India in Hamilton on Wednesday.

Needing 14 to win the match after Tim Seifert (eight) and Colin Munro (five) gave New Zealand a total of 13-1, KL Rahul hit the first ball from Tim Southee for six and the next for four before he was caught by Scott Kuggeleijn at deep midwicket.

Kohli then bunted two runs down the ground and hit Southee for four to take India to 16-1 and a 4-0 lead in the series.

The hosts had appeared to be cruising to victory in the regulation 20 overs on 159-3 and needing seven runs from the final six balls bowled by Shardul Thakur.

Yet they lost four wickets to finish on 165-7.

Seifert had put New Zealand in position to win the game as he combined with Ross Taylor (24) in a 62-run partnership that was broken in the final over.

Seifert was then run-out for 57, while Daryl Mitchell was caught and Mitchell Santner run-out on the final ball, attempting the second run that would have given New Zealand the win.

Opener Colin Munro had earlier scored 64 but threw his wicket away after some lazy running led to his run-out from a direct hit by Kohli after he took a relay throw from the outfield from Thakur.

India had scored 165-8 in their 20 overs, with Manish Pandey having superbly marshalled the tail and scored his third half-century to finish on 50 not out.

The final game is in Mt Maunganui tomorrow, before a three-match one-day international series starts in Hamilton on February 5.

Mendis’ Test century helps Sri Lanka draw Test (ESPNCRICINFO) - KUSAL Mendis’ seventh Test century ensured there were no late scares for Sri Lanka, as the visitors eked out a draw in the second and final Test in Harare and sealed the series 1-0.

For Zimbabwe, they can take heart from a performance that had pushed their more illustrious opponents right throughout the five days, and at times it looked like they might actually secure their first-ever Test win over Sri Lanka.

But in the end, while Zimbabwe’s batsman had impressed - especially Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza their bowling always looked to lack the necessary killer instinct to take 10 Sri Lanka wickets in a single day - this, despite Raza having recorded the second-best Test figures for Zimbabwe in the first innings.

The only highlight of the final session on the fifth day was Mendis’ century, which he brought up in style - a sumptuous six off Raza, skipping down the track and launching him comfortably over long-on. Mendis ended with an unbeaten 116, five runs short of 3 000 Test runs.

That achievement must wait for another day, but for now, Sri Lanka will reflect on a game in which they were outplayed for vast periods.

The final day had started with Williams declaring Zimbabwe’s second innings on 247 for 7 after just one ball: an uncharacteristic leg-stump half-volley by Suranga Lakmal that Sean Williams flicked over deep square leg for six.

The shot brought up Williams’ third Test fifty, but more importantly, Zimbabwe got the chance to use the heavy roller on a dry Harare deck at the start of the day.

The idea presumably was to widen some of the cracks on the pitch, and give their bowlers a better chance of bowling out a team in the fourth innings of a Test for just the seventh time in their history.

And the plan seemed to have worked too, where, following a period of tight bowling Carl Mumba coaxed Dimuth Karunaratne into a false stroke outside off.

The batsman tried to pull out at the last moment but not before the ball took the outside edge and went into the wicketkeeper’s gloves.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday February 1, 2020

GFF approves East Coast Jubilee Republic football tournament THE Guyana Football Federation has approved the ‘East Coast Jubilee Republic Football Tournament’ scheduled for February 2–28, 2020 at the Ann’s Grove, Buxton and Golden Grove grounds.

The tournament will feature 12 clubs from the East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) including Buxton Stars, Golden Stars, Ann’s Grove United, Plai-

sance, Paradise, Victoria Kings, Buxton United, BV Triump United, Melanie, Mahaica Determinators, Dynamic and Victoria Scorpions.

At the launch of the tournament yesterday at Punter’s Place, Ann’s Grove, GFF president Wayne Forde congratulated the coordinators and indicated GFF’s availability for any support needed.

He also outlined some of GFF’s infrastructural projects, which are scheduled for implementation/expansion this year, including the GFF’s Training Centre, the D’Uurban Park Facility and the land earmarked for the Berbice Football Association.

He also urged good conduct throughout the tournament: “I wish every participant success and also

Eagles United; Blueberry Hill handed year bans for UDFA boycott

… Clubs also fined $50 000

THE Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) last Saturday suspended Eagles United and Blueberry Hill United. following their non-participation in the recent UDFA year-end tournament.

In addition the two clubs will have to pay a fine of $50 000.

However, the circumstances surrounding the suspension gives the impression that the UDFA Executive Committee recommended the penalties and it was the General Council of the represented clubs which made it official.

At the same time it appeared from the time the two clubs violated the UDFA Constitution to now, justice was delayed and seemed to have been denied.

But, the actual suspension became known to the clubs after they were omitted from the privately run Mash Cup tournament which is to start tomorrow. Information was handed to the organisers that the two clubs in question were on suspension.

The question now is whether the action taken was justified and the Eagles United Club which is the number ranked team in Upper Demerara it seems were treated in a harsh manner as were Blueberry Hill.

Based on reports, Eagles United Club, after a hastily held 11th December, 2019, General Council Meeting (before the tournament), had a letter sent from its president Rickland Hutson to the UDFA. The letter outlined reason(s) not to participate in the said tournament.

“The culmination of past issues - having to accept less-than-promised 1st place money for winning the GT Beer League; extremely long wait for payments in the four previously held tournaments etc.. and presently the uncertainties expressed to our representatives at a recently held meeting by the UDFA, about the shortages of funds/prize moneys and sponsors.

This has led us to believe that there is no proper foundation here as it relates to the running of a tournament of this stature.”

The year-end tournament began on December 13, 2019 and culminated on January 1, 2020.

After that December 11, 2019 correspondence which was sent by the Eagles United Club, they claim that there was no response or acknowledgement from the UDFA; But after being omitted from the Mash tournament this year and making enquiries they received a belated letter dated 22nd January, 2020 with reference to their non-participation of the UD-

FA’s year-end tournament.

It was then that the UDFA acknowledged receipt of the letter sent 11th December 2019.

That letter noted that Eagles United’s non-participation was a breach of the UDFA’s Constitution and a “discussion on the matter held at its Statutory Meeting came to the consensus to exclude Eagles United from participating in any tournament until a final decision is taken.”

The UDFA cited Article 15:5 which in part states: “The Executive Committee may, however, suspend a member who has seriously violated his/her/its obligation as a member with immediate effect. The suspension shall last until the next annual or Extraordinary General Meeting, unless the executive committee has lifted it in the meantime.”

However, UDFA, it seems, conveniently did not speak to any disciplinary hearing as in the previous Article 15:4 or the hearing of a complaint where a disciplinary matter could be looked at within three days of a decision taken.

This leaves the actions of the UDFA much to be desired.

It stated that Eagles United was hereby suspended pending the outcome of the final meeting on the matter.

This suspension letter was received after the Eagles United Club asked for the Guyana Football Federation to intervene because it was rumoured that the UDFA had in fact suspended the Eagles United and that they were given an option to participate or not to participate.

The UDFA stated that it had come to a final decision based on what occurred from a UDFA General Council Meeting on Saturday, 25th January, 2020 which was endorsed by all present and the penalties were: suspension for one year effective from January 1, 2020 and a fine of $50 000 payable in full on or before the completion of that suspension.

Like the provisional suspension the UDFA referenced the Article 15:5 of their Constitution.

The impression given now is that some affiliates of the UDFA are questioning the statement that they ‘all endorsed’ the decision to impose the one-year ban and fines on the clubs in question; and are wondering who in fact instituted the penalties?

The agenda item pertaining to the Eagles United and Blueberry Hill at the General Council Meeting to which they were not invited was a ‘discussion of teams boycotting the UDFA’s year-end tournament”.

Members of the head table at the launch of the East Coast Jubilee Republic football tournament held at Punter’s Place, Ann’s Grove.

want to encourage each and every team participating in this tournament to give of your best to ensure that the standard and reputation of the sport is maintained both on and off the field. I wish the organisers do everything in their power to ensure the matches are organised at a particular level and, if I may, at a very high standard.

We must have at all game days medical personnel and

adequate security personnel so that the fans, players and officials can be protected in the event that there is any unwanted behaviour or someone is injured or fall ill during the conduct of a game.”

According to a correspondence from the EDFA, the tourney is geared to foster the development of football on the East Coast Demerara.

Additionally, GFF has also approved ‘Magnum MASH Cup Futsal Competition’ in progress at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.

The GFF has instituted the publication of approved tournaments in an effort to enable its stakeholders, including players, the opportunity to make informed decisions relative to support and participation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 1, 2020

Minute of Silence in Berbice tonight for Kobe Bryant

NBA superstar Kobe Bryant has been instrumental to basketball players around the globe, and in Guyana it has been no different.

Prior to a clash between the visiting Pacesetters and Rose Hall Town Jammers at New Amsterdam Basketball Court, there will be a minute of silence for the fallen basketball hero, who died last Sunday along with his 13-year-old daughter, in a helicopter crash in the U,S. Bryant, who led the Los Angeles Lakers to five NBA Championships, is touted as one of the best players to have ever played the game.

According to president of the Berbice Amateur Basketball Association (BABA) Vibert Garrett, Kobe was an inspiration.

“Kobe Bryant was an influential individual; he was a kind, loving and very supportive athlete especially towards youths.

He was very keen on seeing kids involved in sports, using it as an avenue to help develop them and build confidence in what they do.”

A release from BABA noted that the executives will be holding a special tribute to Bryant and are “asking all past and present basketball players” to be at the venue.

“Even though he was not directly involved in the enhancement of basketball in Berbice, we, the members of the basketball association in Berbice, were able to use his life and achievements as a motivation for our youths that hard work really does pay off,” Vibert added.

Let’s Bet Sports on board with...

porate social responsibility, by supporting almost every single discipline in the country’s robust sports arena.

Meanwhile Reece, upon thanking Let’s Bet Sports for the more than timely intervention, said his “organisation has been dedicated to youth and community development and the Mocha Village Cup in its third edition has been one of those marquee events that helped us to stay on track in maintaining our vision and carrying out our

ongoing mission.”

“This event began in a time when competitive football was absent and we took it upon ourselves to revamp the competitive spirit by starting our own small goal tournament, starting with eight teams and a little cash prize. Fast-forward three years later, we have Lets Bet Sports on board as our main sponsor. This is testament to the growth of this event,” Reece lamented.

The tournament will kick off at 19:00hrs with ten matches scheduled for the opening day. Money Hunters will collide with Upsetters in the night’s first game, while Front Side will do battle with Young Stars.

Also competing on opening night Ballers Empire tackle Future Stars, Church Boys will go head-to-head with Old Boys, Nelson Street Warriors challenge Big Ballers, Touches and Xtra Mature will lock

FROM BACKPAGE

horns, and 2020 Winners match up against 6Boss.

In the night’s penultimate game, Lack the Scene face Wild Ones and the final match will bring together Hill Side and Family.

The tournament will continue on February 5 and 12 with the group matches, while the quarter-finals will be played on February 15, and the semi-finals and final on February 22.

c i n o t m u n g Ma l a s t u F h s wine Ma t h g i n o t s n r retu THE National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue will be a hive of activity this evening when the Magnum Tonic Wine Mashramani Cup Futsal Championship resumes with the penultimate group stage round.

In the opening match, Mocha lock horns with Spot-7 from 19:00hrs while Melanie battle Spartacus at 19:30hrs and Sophia oppose Kingston from 20:00hrs. Broad Street will then match skills with Island All-Stars from 20:30hrs while Albouystown oppose Stabroek Ballers from 21:00hrs and Gold is Money take aim at Belfield Warriors at 21:30hrs.

In the final two matches, Back Circle clash with Ansa McAl at 22:00hrs and Rio AllStars face-off against Leopold Street from 20:30hrs.

Meanwhile it was an evening of drawn encounters on Thursday, as heavyweights Sparta Boss, Leopold Street, North-East La Penitence and Future Stars rallied to respective stalemates.

Sparta Boss secured a 1-1 result with Ansa McAl AllStars. Reon Hopkinson handed Ansa McAl the lead in the third minute while Deon Alfred equalised in the fifth minute.

Similarly, Leopold Street came from two goals down to

Action between North-East La Penitence (red) and Avocado Ballers in the Magnum Tonic Wine Mashramani Cup Futsal at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue

draw 2-2 with newcomers Spartacus. Simeon Moore bagged a double in the fourth and seventh minutes for Spartacus.

Okeene Fraser and Raphael Edwards netted for Leopold Street in the eighth and 19th minutes respectively. Meanwhile North-East La Penitence and Avocado Ballers battled a 4-4 draw.

Travis Henry bagged a double in the seventh and ninth minutes for Avocado Ballers while Cedric Osbourne and Seon Perez netted in the 15th and 17th minutes each.

For North East La Penitence, Colin Peters recorded two goals in the third and 20th minutes while Delon Ferdinand and Shaquille Browne scored in the 18th and 19th apiece. Also Future Stars and Spot-7 contested a scoreless affair.

In other results, Bent Street downed Showstoppers 2-0. Jermaine Beckles and Colin Nelson scored in the seventh and ninth minutes respectively.

Also Mocha defeated Alexander Village 3-1. Amos Ramsay tallied a double in the third and 16th minutes while Dellon John

netted in the ninth minute. For the losers, Orville Stewart scored in the 12th minute.

Esan Griffith, tournament coordinator and co-Director of San Sports, said, “Another exciting night of action was witnessed by the sizeable crowd who descended on the venue. Once again the results, which showed several drawn encounters, are testimony to the rising quality of the respective competitors.

This clearly illustrates that the gap between the elite teams and the emerging sides is dwindling and this certainly bodes well for the advancement, excitement, unpredictability and overall experience of the championship. We want to thank the fans once again for their continued support.”

Winners will pocket $700 000 and the championship trophy, while the second -side will collect $400 000 and the respective accolade. On the other hand, the third- and fourthplace unit will receive $200 000 and $100 000 respectively and the corresponding trophy.

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday February 1, 2020

Franklin ready to defend his senior national table tennis title

FROM BACKPAGE

hind him. He has, however, shown longevity and his table tennis IQ is highly rated. His ability to slow down a game and manipulate his opponent’s plan is also a thing of beauty.

Then there is Britton. At 21, he grew up respecting Franklin’s game play, but he has also created his own path. By winning the U-21 Caribbean championships two years ago, the youngster announced himself to the region.

He is now studying law at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus, in Trinidad where he has become a more refined player. In 2019, he won both the Trinbago Open and the Reliability Maintenance Services Limited Super Singles, but his eyes are set on winning his first national title - as he looks to begin his reign.

His game play is more energy-driven, with solid footwork, which allows him to remain unpredictable. He is also excellent in serves and third ball attacks.

Although the pair are no strangers to each other, they have only met twice in tournaments. When Franklin was in his prime, Britton was still a young teen and when the latter blossomed, Franklin had taken a hiatus from the sport.

When they did meet, it was the final of the 2018 Senior National Championships and Franklin was able to use his experience to come from two games down to defeat his young rival.

At the Malteenoes Sports Club last December, in a Juniors-teaming-with-Seniors competition, Britton found himself in a similar position in the singles battle against

Franklin, but he was able to keep his cool and register his first win against his rival.

Now he has taken time away from school to play in the championships again and attempt to take his game to the next level, by defeating the best.

Neither player admitted that the other is his main rival. According to Britton, there are several big names in the mix. “All the members of the current men’s national team are dangerous players. They are Christopher Franklin, Joel Alleyne and Nigel Bryan. Edinho Lewis and Orin Nickerson are also very capable of springing an upset.”

He has also named spin king, Jonathan Sankar as a dark horse.

“But my dark horse that I’ll be looking out for is Jonathan Sankar; he’s playing extremely well right

Shemar Britton is looking to win his first senior national championships.

now and his game is different from everyone else’s, seeing he’s a defensive player.”

Although he is confident, the 21-year-old said he is putting his December win against Franklin behind him because “the match begins at 0-0 all over again.”

For Franklin he will be taking it one game at a time.

“I’m practising at least 3 times per week. I’m not sure who will be

showing up to play, but whoever comes I will be ready. I’m confident in my ability to come away with the victory.”

The Senior National Championships started yesterday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall with the U-21 and C Class. Those games are scheduled to continue today, while the B Class will start today, with the seniors (male and female) in action tomorrow

PAGE

35

Franklin ready to defend his senior national table tennis title DEFENDING Senior National Table Tennis Champion, Christopher Franklin, is ready to win his third consecutive title tomorrow - but it will be no easy task.

Unlike the female competition, which will be without top players Trenace Lowe and Chelsea Edghill, the male battle should be a scorcher.

Several top table tennis players will vie for

Christopher Franklin will look to defend his senior title.

the title. Although the likes of Joel Alleyne and Nigel Bryan should threaten, it would most likely come down to a battle between Franklin and former Caribbean U-21 champion Shemar Britton.

The top two table tennis players are at opposite ends of the spectrum. Franklin is still an excellent player, but at 35, his best years are beSEE PAGE 35

Let’s Bet Sports on board with Mocha Village Cup Football

THE Guyana Lottery Company, through its sports betting brand, Let’s Bet Sports, yesterday presented $250 000 to the oganisers of Mocha Village Cup football tournament, which gets on the way tonight at the Mocha Community Centre ground.

The 20-team tournament is being organised by Ballerz Entertainment, and will see the winners pocket $200 000, second-place $100 000, while the teams who finish third and fourth will go home with $50 000 and $25 000 respectively.

At a simple presentation held at the company’s Ogle office, Let’s Bet Sports Brand Ambassador, Rawle Toney, presented the group’s Public Relations Officer, Clayton Reece, with the cheque.

According to Toney, the sponsorship shows Let’s Bet Sports’ commitment to not only giving back to the communities that support them, but also helping in the development of sports.

Toney pointed out that the Sports Betting brand has been in existence for a year and has made a solid imprint in Guyana with regard to honouring its cor-

Ballerz Entertainment PRO, Clayton Reece (left), and Let’s Bet Sports Brand Ambassador Rawle Toney at the presentation ceremony

SEE PAGE 34

New CPL draft rules allow teams to retain any number of players - Russell … Franchises have until February 14 to submit list of retained players

By Clifton Ross THIS year’s edition of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) comes with a twist, as teams are now allowed to retain many or all players in their side, if they wish, as deadline for submission of players’ names approaches.

The amended rule, which in the past only allowed a limited number of players to be retained by each franchise, was recently announced by Hero CPL Chief Operations Officer, Pete Russell.

Russell, during his visit to

Guyana last Friday held a brief press conference at Providence during the second day of the Guyana Jaguars versus the Trinidad Red Force Regional 4-Day match.

During the media briefing, the CPL Head highlighted a number of positives coming out of the 2019 edition - one being the draft where he confirmed teams can now keep their entire roster.

In the previous editions, draft rules made it possible for teams to try and cling onto their best bevy of players while those released would be entered into the draft and become eligible for selection

by other franchises.

“Each team can retain their whole squad if they pretty much want to. They can keep them or they can throw them away, so that’s entirely down to them,” said the CPL executive, who added that this year will also see an influx of players from the Under-19 levels.

Russell said this year’s draft will be held after the 2020 Indian Premier League (IPL), adding that teams have until February 14 to submit the names of the retained players.

With Guyana moving a step closer to hosting a CPL final, having held the semi-finals at Providence in 2018 and 2019, Russell said when the 3-year deal with Trinidad & Tobago expires, he is firm on Guyana being the next future host of the League’s final.

Regarding the financial position of CPL, Russell said “We’re break-even,” stating that they are in a good financial position.

Last year’s tournament raked in US$136,542,868 in the region, a 7.21% increase from the previous year.

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statistical international entity, carried out the survey. Guyana, who hosted a few preliminary rounds and semis of the tournament last year, returned US$29,514,926 which, according to Russell, was up by 15 percent when compared to the 2018 edition.

Also, with emphasis being placed on women’s cricket development, Russell added that CPL will be looking to do more for the ladies during the 2020 edition, following up last year’s project, which saw a few of the Windies Women stars play in exhibition games.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2020